Forest reserve depletion is assuming prevalence across the globe. Developing nations are the worse affected, with depriving ecological regions suffering neglect within the affected nations. Kumbo and Lambo forest reserves are less investigated, but heavily undergoing land use land cover changes in a continuum. This paper examined the nature and extent of LULC changes within the reserves. It also assessed how landowners perceive the ongoing changes amidst their interest as farmers. Landsat 7 and 8 TM was derived from the US Geographic Survey website to generate images and later statistics to classify and calculate changes in the land cover types. It also used focus group discussions to seek the worldviews of landowners on the perceived LULC changes in the reserves. Two FGDs were conducted with minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 participants. The results showed a growth in forest cover initially and a decline in the last decade. Other land cover types were observed to transform into forest vegetation leading to increases in forestland cover type in the initial year. The increases were also attributed to Modified Taungya System project that the government introduced in the areas in 2006. It was observed that local customs use tree-chiefs to protect and preserve economic trees. This made the local value systems favorable to forest growth and conservation. However, farmers would resist reserves' expansion, when their lives are threatened by farmland shortages. The study recommends for mainstreaming of local ideas and interests in forest management planning in the areas.