The impact of resource exploitation on the environment and landuse, the case of stone quarrying in kangundo division
Abstract
This study examines the impact of stone quarrying on
the environment. and land use in Kangundo division Machakos
district. stone quarrying as a mining activities has an effect on t.he
environment where it is carried out. It is against. such
background that the study was prompted to look at the
environmental .impact of stone quarrying. The study examines
the benefits accruing from the activity. Various environmental components were identified and matched against impact sources. It. was observed that stone quarrying produce both positive and negative impacts. The activity has adverse impact on various
environmental components The activity affects land and
o t.her resource s used by the local community for .
stone quarrying reduces the potential for agriculture and
grazing land, affects vegetation and existing land use .
Various actors were identified as taking place in stone quarrying activity. 'These include the local community
lorry operators and t.he Masaku county council. These
actors were observed to earn income from stone sales. The
study observed that lorry operators earn significant incomes
s from stone sales.
The study concludes by recommending the active .involvement
of the Local community in decision' making process. The
community overall perception of the activity was positive.
However they stood t.o suffer most. if the degradation of
land. continued and thus gain less from the activity. The
existing frame work governing mining operations should be
observed by both decision makers and the actors
Citation
M.A.Publisher
Department of Urban and Regional Planning Faculty of Architecture Design and Development , University of Nairobi December,
Description
Masters(planning)