Impact of Population Pressure on Environmental Degradation in Katagum Region, Bauchi State, Nigeria
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Date
2019
Authors
Mohammed, Nasir
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
There exist a significant relationship between population and the environment as the two affect each other under certain circumstances causing effects both positive and negative. In this case, the study examines the impact of population pressure on environmental degradation in Katagum Region as there has been a high rate of increase in population as well as a deteriorating environment. The study assesses the impact of population pressure on environmental degradation, investigates the method of coping with the effect of population pressure on the environment and measures employed in reducing population pressure and environmental degradation in Katagum region. Primary data generated through Interview Schedules, Questionnaires, Direct Observations and Focus Group Discussion. Similarly, secondary data was used to obtain from journals, library, books and the internet. These data used in developing literature complement the primary data. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, and tables and charts used in presenting results. The results in assessing the impacts of population pressure include deforestation, migration, pollution, soil erosion, and so on. The Chi-Square result showed a connection between population pressure and environmental degradation in the Region. Also, community methods of coping with population pressure influenced by religion and cultural background of communities in the Region. The findings show the methods used in reducing the impact of population pressure on environmental degradation in Katagum Region are a delay in marriage, family planning, public awareness creation, free medication and also government/community intervention in the Region. The significance of this study will help the community and Government to know about assessing the impact of population growth on the environment, and methods to be used in coping with the population pressure and also ways in reducing population growth to minimize stress on the situation in Katagum Region. The population considered valuable resources in the development and, it is also a significant source of environmental degradation when it exceeds the carrying capacity of the support system in the Region. The study recommended that the Government should check population pressure through; birth control pills, encourage trees planting by individual household and also give some incentives to people that participate with this desertification would reduce, soil erosion can be control, Government should allocate more funds to the people at a zero interest loan to boost economic activities in the area in order to reduce the rate of poverty, crime and conflict and pollution in the Katagum Region and with this, sustainable development will be achieve. Government should create awareness among the population on methods to use in copying with Population Growth, population movements, and their impact on the natural environment and the built environment in Katagum Region through: use of family planning method, improve economic status of women, alternative source of energy and finally, the community and Government should adopt strategies to provide and promote effective family planning services, sex education in school curriculums, free education for women, jobs for women in terms of those that finished school and those that are permanent house wives, this will reduce the effect of population pressure on environmental degradation in Katagum Region..
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Geography in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts (Population Geography) in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, October, 2019