Interrogating Ecological Resource Conflicts in the Benue Valley Human Distortion of Nature as a Cause

Abstract

Depletion of natural resources seems to have become a common phenomenon in most developing societies across the globe. In most countries of Africa, especially in Nigeria, natural resources tend to have engendered disputes characterized by recurring tussles for access and utilization of natural resources. For instance, the agricultural epicenter known as Benue valley consisting of Benue, Plateau and Taraba states of Nigeria have experienced series of mind-boggling and unthinkable bloodshed that led to thousands of deaths and displacements to avoidable conflicts over natural resources of the biosphere. This trajectory is attributable to ecological problems resulting to bio diversity loss and destruction of habitat occasioned by human distortions of nature manifest in desertification, deforestation and pollution amongst others. It is indicative that human activities such as wood extraction, air and water pollution, bush burning, grazing and poor irrigation management amongst others result in natural resource depletion with dire implications for socio-economic and environmental order. Thus, this paper interrogates ecological resource conflicts in the Benue Valley by x-raying human distortion of nature as a cause.  Relying on the abstractions of eco-violence theory and qualitative data sourced from relevant literature, the paper posits that human distortion of nature results in biodiversity depletion, soil infertility and increased colossal soil erosion other undesirable changes in microclimate that culminate to depletion of natural resources which constitute a major trigger of conflicts in the Benue Valley. Such conflicts tend to create situations of terror and horror marked by killings and reprisal killings on regular basis which hampers rural development and undermines lives and livelihoods of the citizens within the area. The paper, therefore, recommends, among others, a synergy of inter-state agencies to fashion out mechanisms for preservation and protection of nature, curtailing human distortions of nature so as to curb ecological resource conflicts in Benue Valley.