Major Land Uses and Associated Negative Environmental Impact. An Empirical Investigation in the Bawku Municipality

Scientific Study from the year 2016 in the subject Agrarian Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Department of Land Economy), course: Bsc. Land Economy, language: English, abstract: This article empirically explores the environmental impact of agricultural, residential and commercial land uses in the Bawku municipality. Questionnaires, researchers observation, individual and group Interviews as well as focus group discussions were the survey instruments used to collect the primary data for the study from 150 respondents comprising farmers, home builders, hunters, shop keepers and stakeholders. The study established that most of the inhabitants questioned - 147 or 98% - are not aware of the necessity of environmental permission for a certain size and quantity of land uses. The study also established that nearly all the inhabitants did not understand the negative environmental impact of their land use activities. The study also attributed the unhealthy environmental practices of the inhabitants to indiscipline on the part of the land users. The study identified that the negative environmental impact of the various land uses included threat to the ecosystem, depletion of the ozone layer, destruction of rare plant, tree and aquatic species and the general extinction of some rare plant and tree species. The resulting social and economic effect of the environmental destruction included threat to human survival, drought, harsh weather and climatic conditions and health related problems. In response to the causes of the unhealthy environmental practices, the study accordingly presents a number of recommendations including creating awareness of the need to acquire an environmental permit before commencing particular land uses and educating the inhabitants on the need to conserve the environment.