Information
Landmark: Ahoada Forest ReserveCity: Port Harcourt
Country: Nigeria
Continent: Africa
Ahoada Forest Reserve, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Africa
Overview
The Ahoada Forest Reserve-often called the Upper Orashi Forest Reserve-sits deep in Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria, its dense green canopy marking it as a protected haven.Founded on December 30, 1899, it spans roughly 25,165 hectares-about 98 square miles, an area large enough to stretch beyond the horizon on a clear day.The reserve sits high along the Orashi River’s upper stretch, just beyond the quiet village of Ikodi where water drifts past mossy banks.The Ahoada Forest Reserve holds Ramsar status as a Wetland of International Importance, a designation given to rare, vital habitats-think of its misty marshes alive with herons and frogs.This region plays a vital role in protecting biodiversity, with landscapes ranging from steamy tropical lowland rainforests to windswept moorlands, marshes, and shimmering seasonal lakes.Within the forest reserve, you’ll find an astonishing mix of plants-some with bright yellow blooms-that sustain both the local ecosystem and the community’s economy.The reserve shelters impressive trees like Lophira alata, or African walnut, with dark, sturdy timber; Ricinodendron heudelotii, prized for its edible seeds; Albizia adianthifolia; and Hexalobus crispiflorus.Together, they help wildlife thrive, keep streams flowing, and hold the soil in place after heavy rain.The Ahoada Forest Reserve shelters a wide range of animals, including a few rare species and those at risk of disappearing, like the soft call of a red-headed parrot hidden in the canopy.The reserve is home to some remarkable wildlife, including the giant forest hog, the quick green bush squirrel, the elusive pygmy hippopotamus that slips into West African streams, and the slender-snouted crocodile lurking in its wetlands; it’s also a vital haven for conserving bird species.You might spot a grey parrot perched high in the canopy, an elusive Anambra waxbill, Hartlaub's duck gliding on a quiet stream, the striking Congo serpent eagle, or the massive black-casqued hornbill crashing through branches.Yet, despite its rich wildlife, the Ahoada Forest Reserve struggles with serious conservation threats.Deforestation is still a serious problem, fueled by logging trucks rumbling through forests, expanding farmland, and the spread of city streets into once-green spaces.Back in 2020, reports showed that Ahoada East lost 16 hectares of natural forest-about the size of 30 football fields-sending an estimated 31.8 kilotons of CO₂ into the air.The Forestry Department, part of Rivers State’s Ministry of Agriculture, runs the reserve, keeping its rows of tall, rain-soaked trees in order.It’s classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area, focused on using natural resources sustainably while still supporting scientific study and safeguarding wildlife-think of researchers tracking birds in a quiet stretch of forest.In the Ahoada region-covering both East and West LGAs-most people speak Ekpeye, though you’ll also hear Engenni, Ogba, and Ikwerre in the markets and along the busy roadside stalls.This area brims with cultural history and has long been a key hub for governance and the arts in Rivers State, where the scent of old market stalls still lingers in its streets.The forest reserve is vital-not just for protecting wildlife and clean streams, but for helping local families earn their living.Protecting the reserve is crucial-it keeps wildlife diverse, helps local farms thrive, and slows climate change by locking carbon away in its dense, green canopy.The Ahoada Forest Reserve teems with wildlife and lush greenery, serving as both a cultural touchstone and a cornerstone of local conservation.Still, it’s under constant pressure from deforestation and environmental damage-trees falling, soil eroding-which means we have to keep working to manage it wisely and protect it for the long haul.
