Eco-tourism is known to help nature and bring jobs to local communities. On paper, it sounds like a win for everyone. But in reality, especially in places like Cross River State, that balance doesn’t always hold up.
In remote parts of the Cross River forest, where eco-tourism is growing, about 35% of reported incidents involve insecurity. Limited security in these areas has left tourists and residents vulnerable to theft, violence, and land-related conflicts.
Ecotourism promises a balance between conservation and community development. But when poorly managed, the scales can tip, and instead of protecting the environment, it puts it at even greater risk.
This article explores the dark side of eco-tourism and how it affects the Cross River State forest.
What Is Eco-Tourism: A Closer Look
Before we discuss its pitfalls, let’s first understand what eco-tourism is and what it is not.
The concept of eco-tourism goes beyond visiting nature. Its goals are to preserve the environment, respect local customs, and involve the community at every stage.
Instead of making a forest weaker, it should make it stronger. Communities should benefit from it rather than be excluded.
What Eco-Tourism Is Not
Some businesses construct lodges in protected regions, refer to them as “eco-resorts,” and disregard the regulations.
Locals are not hired for leadership roles but only for pictures. Paths across forests are cleared without authority. This is greenwashing with a price tag, not eco-tourism.
When this occurs, the dark side of eco-tourism starts to emerge. It hides behind good branding but causes real damage to nature and trust.
The Dark Side of Eco-Tourism in Cross River State, Nigeria
The dark side of eco-tourism in Nigeria is not just theoretical; it occurs in actual communities throughout Cross River State.
In places where eco-tourism was meant to protect the forest and bring opportunity, the opposite occurs.
Some communities near Cross River National Park report exclusion from decision-making, harassment by forest guards, unlawful fees, and unregulated mining and logging disguised as tourism development.
Knowing the difference matters because it’s the line between helping and harming. And in places like Cross River, that line is getting thinner.
Harmful Impacts of Eco-Tourism on the Cross River Forest
While eco-tourism is often seen as a tool for conservation, the Cross River State forest is showing signs of deep stress.
Roads that were once constructed to facilitate visitors’ travel now cut through wildlife corridors, separating animal populations and forcing them from their natural habitats.
Sometimes “eco” projects proceed without the necessary environmental reviews; the once-proposed Cross River Superhighway is a prime example.
Despite knowing that it would destroy wildlife habitats, cut down ancient trees, and displace local people, the project was pushed forward without following standard procedures.
Not only does the forest suffer, but communities are feeling the ripple effect. Cocoyam and other formerly dependable food sources are going extinct, according to locals. There is less water and shade when there is less forest, which puts additional strain on humans.
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Wild Camping in Nigeria: Best Locations,Tips &Safety Guide (2025)
Key Threats Facing the Cross River Forest
Harassment and Community Exclusion
Forest rangers are being accused of extorting communities around Cross River National Park by requesting “taxes and rates” and denying them access to development and employment opportunities.
Angry locals propose that, since they have no other means of support, they turn towards illegal mining and logging, highlighting the negative aspects of eco-tourism.
Threat from Unplanned Infrastructure
Communities and NGOs expressed anger over a proposed super-highway passing through Ekuri and the park buffer zone.
It is an “ecological disaster in the making.” This demonstrates the dark side of eco–tourism; massive projects that are marketed as eco-friendly but lack adequate environmental impact evaluations endanger the integrity of forests.
Illegal Logging, Mining, and Poaching
Eco-guards and activists report growing lawlessness, with armed miners, poachers, and loggers operating openly in Cross River Park and the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Eco-tourism becomes a front for exploitation as weak regulation leaves forests exposed.
Unequal Benefits and Community Separation
Research shows low community participation and uneven benefit-sharing from eco-tourism in protected areas.
When locals are left out of tourism planning and don’t earn from it, eco-tourism becomes unfair. It takes resources from their land without giving anything back, turning what should be sustainable into something extractive.
Can Eco-Tourism Still Protect Cross River Forest?
Despite its challenges, eco-tourism still holds the potential to help if done right.
When locals are included in planning, guiding, and benefiting from eco-tourism, the forest becomes something worth defending, not sacrificing.
Here’s how eco-tourism can still protect the Cross River State forest:
- Involving communities from the start, not just as workers, but as decision-makers.
- Using tourism income to fund conservation patrols, forest restoration, and cultural education programs.
- Training local guides who can share traditional knowledge and protect endangered wildlife.
- Limiting visitor numbers, enforcing rules, and ensuring the infrastructure does not damage natural habitats.
Conclusion: Eco-Tourism Must Work for the Forest and the People
Eco-tourism isn’t the problem. When planned properly, it can protect forests, create real jobs, and give local communities a reason to defend their land.
Things need to change if we are going to protect the Cross River State Forest. Better oversight, fairer decision-making, and full involvement of the people who live near the forest are needed.
Cross River Forest has witnessed both sides. Eco-tourism is harmful when it excludes locals. When they are involved, however, it can benefit the forest, the people, and future generations. Giving up on eco-tourism is not the answer. Doing it right is.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the problems with eco-tourism in Nigeria?
In Cross River, poorly managed eco-tourism has led to illegal logging, land degradation, exclusion of locals from planning, and disruption of traditional food systems.
What is the dark side of eco-tourism?
It refers to the negative impacts that arise when tourism harms the environment or local communities in the guise of sustainability.
Is eco-tourism still a good idea for Nigeria?
Yes, if properly managed. Eco-tourism that is community-led, environmentally responsible, and transparent can protect ecosystems and support rural communities.
What can be done to fix eco-tourism in Cross River?
Some solutions include involving communities in decision-making, enforcing environmental laws, limiting harmful infrastructure, and reinvesting tourism income into conservation.
Why is Cross River State forest important?
It is one of Nigeria’s last rainforests and home to endangered species like the Cross River gorilla. Its preservation is vital for biodiversity and climate regulation.
How does unregulated tourism affect local food systems?
Deforestation and land conversion reduce the availability of native crops like cocoyam and harm water sources, increasing food insecurity.
Are there successful eco-tourism models in Africa?
Yes. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have developed successful community-based tourism models that benefit both people and nature.