Upper Orashi Forest Reserve, Forest reserve and Ramsar site in Rivers State, Nigeria
Upper Orashi Forest Reserve is a freshwater swamp forest located in the central Niger Delta region of Rivers State. The landscape consists of dense vegetation interspersed with water channels and seasonal waterways that shape the entire ecosystem.
The forest reserve was established in the late 1800s with a modest initial area and expanded significantly over the following decades. International recognition as an important wetland site came in the early 2000s.
The Forestry Department of Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture manages this protected area, which maintains category VI status for sustainable forest resource use.
The area experiences significant flooding from September through November when water levels rise substantially and conditions change throughout the site. Plan visits during the drier months and prepare for wet ground conditions even outside the peak flooding period.
The forest is home to several rare primate species, including one of the largest populations of an endangered monkey species in the region. It also serves as a nighttime roosting site for large flocks of parrots that gather in the canopy.
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