Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part A (2019)

Biodiversity has proven to be an important source of traditional medicines for people in developing countries, particularly those in remote and normally more poverty-stricken areas of the developing world where access to formal health care is limited. Therefore, Effect of biodiversity conservation on livelihood of rural dwellers in OnaAra Local Government Area of Oyo state was investigated. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used through well structure questionnaire and interviews to gather collect information from 150 rural dweller. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and means and Chi-square at 0.05% level of significance. The result of analysis revealed that most (54.1%) of the respondents are males and they are in their active age, married with majority (51.4%) had secondary education, with about 1-10years of experience of biodiversity conservation was recorded as the highest percentage. Furthermore, the result revealed on the statement of livelihoods that 56.8%of physical assets is the income generated from the use of hire labor on the farm, 86.5% natural assets on biodiversity conservation and also in human assets, mostly 75.7% of biodiversity conservation assist the dwellers to take care of their families. Chi-square analysis revealed that, among socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, Conclusively, the result reveals that respondents had high benefits from biodiversity conservation with increase income of 62.2%, and 60% of the respondents have moderate benefits that are derive from biodiversity conservation which has led to employment opportunities for most people. It is therefore recommended that Government should put in place policies and laws that will govern farmers, residents that will promote preservation of biodiversity, also Government should construct good roads that will enhance recreational benefit rendered by conservation this will lead to employment opportunities and other benefit.