The effect of rural poverty on environmental degradation

Project Abstract

Rural poverty and environmental degradation are two critical issues that are intricately linked and have far-reaching consequences on sustainable development. This research project aims to investigate the effect of rural poverty on environmental degradation, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and the potential for sustainable interventions. The relationship between rural poverty and environmental degradation is complex and multidimensional. Rural populations, especially in developing countries, are often highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, such as agriculture, fishing, and forestry. However, the lack of access to basic services, limited economic opportunities, and inadequate infrastructure in rural areas contribute to a cycle of poverty that can lead to unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, is often exacerbated by poverty as vulnerable communities resort to activities that deplete natural resources for short-term economic gains. Additionally, the lack of education and awareness about sustainable resource management practices can further contribute to environmental degradation in rural areas. The consequences of environmental degradation, such as reduced agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters, disproportionately affect rural populations living in poverty. This can further exacerbate the cycle of poverty by limiting access to critical resources and increasing the risk of livelihood insecurity. Addressing rural poverty and environmental degradation requires a holistic approach that takes into consideration the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Sustainable interventions should focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and basic services in rural areas, promoting alternative livelihoods that are environmentally friendly, and raising awareness about sustainable resource management practices. By understanding the complex interplay between rural poverty and environmental degradation, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can develop targeted interventions that promote sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Ultimately, addressing rural poverty and environmental degradation is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future for rural communities around the world.

Project Overview

<p> </p><div><p>INTRODUCTION</p><p>Background to the Study</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Poverty is a social phenomenon that has eaten deep into the fabrics</p><p>of every society ranging from its political, social and economic</p><p>organizations. It is therefore a social problem that has affected the</p><p>productive sector of every economy such as agricultural and industrial</p><p>sector to mention but a few. According to Aluk (2011) poverty is</p><p>defined as lack of command over basic consumption needs such as</p><p>clothing, food and shelter. World Band (2005), define poverty as</p><p>inability to attain a minimum standard of living. Environmental</p><p>degradation on the other hand is defined as how the environment is</p><p>affected through certain forces such as flood, deforestation,</p><p>overgrazing, and the use of harmful chemicals as well as environmental</p><p>pollution in the environment.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Poverty is most pervasive in rural than urban areas. This assessment</p><p>can be justified by the examination of the level of concentration of</p><p>economic institutions and activities. It is indisputable that economic</p><p>institutions are only concentrated in urban centres, creating more</p><p>opportunities for job, good living and what can be obtained in the</p><p>rural areas (Ahmed, 2010).</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When comparative analysis of the level of income as it affects the</p><p>quality of life and standard of living of both rural and urban</p><p>settlements is made, a variation of the difference in the social</p><p>relationship in art of production, allocation of scarce resources and</p><p>distribution, what comes to mind is the question of those who benefit</p><p>more as a wide gap exist among the rural and urban dwellers as it</p><p>affects the circulation and control of goods and services and of</p><p>prices (Maxwell, 2006).</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Many studies have established that there exists a strong social</p><p>relationship between poverty and environmental degradation. This is</p><p>because factors like level of income, quality and prices of goods and</p><p>services affects the living standard of people in rural areas thereby</p><p>affecting their activities towards the environment. Also, most of the</p><p>poor people particularly in developing countries rely on natural</p><p>resources for their livelihood, and these people are very vulnerable</p><p>to causing environmental problems.</p><p>Apa local government area is predominantly a rural based society with</p><p>75% of her population depending on agriculture as their main</p><p>occupation. Base on the agrarian nature of her economy, crops, and</p><p>tubers are highly produced with more than half percent of the</p><p>population of women and children constituting the chunk of the labour</p><p>force. For some time now efforts have been made by the government,</p><p>corporate bodies and irrigation organizations to curb the incidence of</p><p>environmental degradation in the area through deliberate policies and</p><p>programmes aimed at poverty alleviation among the rural people yet,</p><p>poverty remain the major constrain militating against the development</p><p>of the rural people.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It is for this reason that this study is design to investigate the</p><p>effects of poverty on environmental degradation with reference to Apa</p><p>local government area of Benue State.</p><p>1.2 Statement of the Problem</p><p>Nwagbara, (2012) in his assessment of poverty, environmental</p><p>degradation and sustainable development assets that the poor have</p><p>traditionally taken the brunt of the blame for causing society’s many</p><p>problems.</p><p>Anijah-Obi (2001), observes that poverty, a deplorable state of human</p><p>welfare, is closely linked to environmental degradation. The poor are</p><p>both victims and agents of environmental damage. Poverty may be</p><p>created by negative and unjust social conditions such as structural</p><p>inequality. Those who are poor and hungry will often destroy their</p><p>immediate environments in order to survive. They are responsible for</p><p>cultivating tired soil and cutting down forests. They throw waste into</p><p>gutters and streams, because they lack the basic necessities of life.</p><p>They lack resources and materials necessary for living within a</p><p>minimum standard conducive to human dignity and well-being.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; In Apa local government, the poor depend extensively on firewood for</p><p>cooking which requires the falling of trees without replacement. There</p><p>are two major streams in the local government that serves as a source</p><p>of both industrial and domestic water supply to its inhabitants this</p><p>are the Ochi-Chi and Okpeje streams. &nbsp; Activities of fishing with</p><p>chemicals, dumping of refuse in stream and water channels, open</p><p>deification, and mining of the soil for lime stone and granite</p><p>constitute some of the major environmental problems propel by human</p><p>activities. All this in no small measure have continued to cause the</p><p>outbreak of cholera disease and other health challenges of its</p><p>inhabitants which mostly affect the poor due to their inability to</p><p>find alternative to both source of water that is already contaminated</p><p>and environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate waste disposal.</p><p>Hence, the need for this study to examine the effects of poverty on</p><p>environmental degradation in Apa local government area of Benue State.</p><p>1.3 Research Questions</p><p>The following research questions are advanced to guide this study:</p><p>How does poverty cause environmental degradation?</p><p>What are the effects of poverty on environmental degradation in &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Apa</p><p>local government?</p><p>What measures can be employed to ameliorate the problem of &nbsp; &nbsp; poverty on</p><p>environmental degradation in Apa local government?</p><p>Objectives of the Study</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The general objective of this study is to examine the effects of</p><p>poverty on environmental degradation in Apa local government area of</p><p>Benue State. The specific objectives are to;</p><p>Ascertain how poverty cause environmental degradation</p><p>Find out the effects of poverty on environmental degradation in &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Apa</p><p>local government</p><p>Suggest measures that can be employed to ameliorate the problem &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; of</p><p>poverty on environmental degradation in Apa local government</p><p>Significance of the Study</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; This study will be significant in the following ways; firsts and</p><p>foremost, the findings of this study will serve as a policy document</p><p>to the government, policy makers and environmentalist in curbing the</p><p>effects of environmental degradation on rural poor dwellers.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Secondly, it will be of importance to the academic environment as it</p><p>can be use as a reference point in giving out information on poverty</p><p>and environmental issues in the society.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Thirdly, the study will add to the already existing body of</p><p>literatures in the area of poverty and environmental degradation.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Last but not the least, the study will aid further researchers who</p><p>intend to carryout similar studies on the same topic to have a</p><p>background situation of what they intend to study.</p><p>Research Assumptions</p><p>The following research assumptions are to guide this study:</p><p>Ho. There is no significant relationship between poverty on</p><p>environmental degradation in Apa local government</p><p>Scope of the Study</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The scope of this study shall be delimitated to Ogantelle towns of</p><p>Apa local government where there are higher levels of farming and</p><p>degredation. The major areas of Apa such as, Auke, Iga-Okpaya, Oiji,</p><p>Igoro, Ikobi, Ojope, Ogantele, Oba, Edikwu 1 and Edikwu II ward were</p><p>covered with a time span ranging from 2010 to 2013.</p><p>1.8 Definition of Terns</p><p>Poverty: According to Sachs (2009), poverty can be defined in terms of</p><p>three distinguishable degrees. These are: Extreme poverty, moderate</p><p>poverty and relative poverty. Extreme poverty means the household</p><p>cannot meet basic needs for survival. Moderate poverty on the other</p><p>hand generally refers to conditions of life in which basic needs are</p><p>met, but just at the base level while, relative poverty is construed</p><p>as a household income level below a given proportion of average</p><p>national income. Put differently, poverty can be defined as the</p><p>inability of one to provide for his or her basic needs of life such as</p><p>food, clothing and sheathe.</p><p>Environmental Degradation: Environmental degradation implies a gradual</p><p>reduction in environmental quality to the extent that its ability to</p><p>meet the environmental needs of the present generation is reduced and</p><p>that of the future generation is in jeopardy. According to Fritsch et</p><p>al. (1990), environmental degradation is defined as a man-made</p><p>environmental change having negative impact on human society. It can</p><p>also be defined as processes induced by human behaviour and activities</p><p>(sometimes combined with natural hazards) that damage the natural</p><p>resource base or adversely alter natural processes or ecosystems.</p><p></p></div><h3></h3><br> <br><p></p>