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An Assessment Of The Socio-economic Impacts (effects) Of Agulu-nanka Gully Erosion, Anambra State
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Erosion
is the process by which the agents of soil erosion wear away, eat into,
loosen, or carry away soil material and transport it from one locality
to another where it is eventually deposited (Egboka, 1991). Soil erosion
is a complex process caused by wind, water and physical disturbances,
encompassing detachment, transport and deposition of weathered rock.
Soil erosion reduces land productivity, challenges agricultural
sustainability and degrades environmental quality through contaminants
attached to the sediments.
Soil erosion is caused and complexed by a
variety of factors such as natural phenomena of neotectonics and
paleotectonics, soil/rock features (pedology/geology), wind/water
dynamics; and human phenomena such as population density, anthropogenic
activities including engihanic effects (Egboka and Nwankwor, 1985). In
the execution of colossal or small scale projects of Industrial or
engineering nature, the textural, coherence and plasticity
characteristics of the soil are not considered. Irrigation schemes,
major road network, small and large dams, urbanization, deforestation,
sand and laterite mining are carried out without cognizance of the
warnings of environmental experts and/or professionals. Similarly,
sensitive drainage areas, wetlands and flood channels are encroached
upon by hungry land developers. In view of these activities, sheet, rill
and gully erosion are known to progressively develop over several
years. All over the world man is a more important agent of environmental
change than Nature (Press, 1990). Soil erosion problems are now endemic
in many parts of southeastern Nigeria (Egboka, 1991). Increased
awareness of erosion impacts on land, air, water quality and global
climate, raises new challenges for erosion researchers. In some
conditions, these impacts are so severe that they reduce the quality of
life and economic well-being, and can threaten survival.
Chemical and
physical deterioration of soil have major implication on agricultural
productivity and housing development. In Nigeria agricultural production
is the most important source of income to the people. Soil quality has a
major impact on the capacity of the rural farmers to achieve food
security. Soil erosion increment results in an unsustainable development
of the living standard of the people. Sustainable development is the
positive socio-economic change that does not undermine the ecological
and social systems upon which communities and social systems are
dependent. Land provides services to humans and other life forms as well
as providing raw materials in production process. Land provides waste
assimilation services as well as other ecosystem functions. Land
provides utilities for recreation, health, cultural and ecological
cycles and functions.
The quality of available land determines its
production potential and real value. Land owned by families in
Agulu-Nanka is mainly used for cultivation and housing development. Soil
degradation resulting from gully erosion in the area, economically
results in loss of its potentials (Values) for food production and
housing development. This is because the eroded soil is not naturally
replaced without costs. This process leads to material loss and
reduction of economic base overtime and may have long term consequences
on the living standard of the people affected. Agulu-Nanka erosion
remain a local problem for a long time, which later gained attention on
an isolated and adhoc basis from affected communities and relevant
Government agencies, hence the silence on the documentation of losses
sustained by the affected people: There is therefore, need for study on
the social impact and economic losses sustained by affected people.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Soil
erosion is one of the most striking features on the land surface of
southeastern Nigeria, especially in Anambra State. Several
non-responsive human activities by both the Government and the
inhabitants have culminated in the devastating gully erosion in this
area. Some of these activities include, excavation of red earth
(laterite) and sand in the process of sand/regolith mining, construction
of roads without drainage channels, uncontrolled population growth and
poor agricultural practices. Buildings are congested on top of
groundwater recharge areas. The geology of the area (Nanka Sandstone) is
composed of weak, friable soils which are poorly consolidated.
At
Agulu-Nanka, each rainy season is associated with nightmares,
particularly for inhabitants living at the proximity of erosion sites.
Each gully incidence is accompanied by landslides and slumping, leaving
at the end of each event inhabitants crying and mourning for loss of
agricultural lands, ancestral lands, homes and economic trees. The
cumulative effect is that the affected inhabitants are left homeless
and/or jobless. The threats posed by gaping and daunting large gullies
to farmlands, settlements, roads and human are enormous. Most
communities in Anambra State have been ravaged by soil erosion of
different dimensions. Sheet erosion is common and it has resulted in the
reduction of soil fertility. Rill erosion is also common in many
communities. However, in these areas they have graduated into gully
erosion. The incidence of gully erosion is a common phenomenon in
Agulu-Nanka communities. The inhabitants of gully ravaged sites have
suffered mishaps ranging from psychological trauma to loss of property
and life. Observations show that gullies in Agulu-Nanka are allowed to
advance without adequate control efforts by Government, hence, the
affected people watch helplessly while their farmland and homes are
destroyed.
The incidence of gully erosion in Agulu-Nanka is not new,
as it has formed a subject for research. Unfortunately, until now, most
researchers are confined only to the factors causing gulling and control
measures, keeping the losses sustained and other social and economic
effects suffered by the affected people aside. It is of utmost
importance to study and document the losses suffered by soil erosion
victims in terms of social disruption, psychological effects and
economic effects with a view to attracting Government, (State and
Federal) to bring lasting solution to Agulu-Nanka erosion ravaged areas.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ] Soil erosion is the systematic removal of soil including plant nutrients from the land surface by various agents of denudation. This paper highlights the social and economic impacts of gulling in the area. Social effects include; loss of ancestral homes, loss of school building, loss of church building and loss of sources of water supply. Economic effects studied are loss of farmland, loss of planted crops, loss of shop/business premises and loss of economic trees. The study intends to id ... Continue reading---
