The word environmental degradation is the resources of
the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil, the
destruction of ecosystem and the extinction of wildlife. It is defined as any
change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deterious or
undesirable.
the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil, the
destruction of ecosystem and the extinction of wildlife. It is defined as any
change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deterious or
undesirable.
In Nigeria, like developing nations, the resultant
environmental problems are region aggravated soil erosion, flood disasters,
salinization or alkalization and the desertification due to the effects of
shifting agriculture on fragile soils, forest clearing in erosion prone and
flood prone areas, bush burning, animal overgrazing and poor construction and
maintenance of roads and drainage systems. Pollution through oil spillage,
pollution from noise, proliferation of slums in urban areas, unsanitary and
unsafe housing, congestion of traffic and houses in areas and lack of open
spaces for active outdoor recreation, all these affect human wellbeing (the
most affected group are women and children) especially the health and
socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Orogodo, Agbor Town in Delta
State, Nigeria in particular and the world as a whole. Therefore, this project
work highlights the dimensions, nature and characteristics of these phenomena
and further examines the implications of the environmental degradation on the
health and socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Orogodo Community.
environmental problems are region aggravated soil erosion, flood disasters,
salinization or alkalization and the desertification due to the effects of
shifting agriculture on fragile soils, forest clearing in erosion prone and
flood prone areas, bush burning, animal overgrazing and poor construction and
maintenance of roads and drainage systems. Pollution through oil spillage,
pollution from noise, proliferation of slums in urban areas, unsanitary and
unsafe housing, congestion of traffic and houses in areas and lack of open
spaces for active outdoor recreation, all these affect human wellbeing (the
most affected group are women and children) especially the health and
socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Orogodo, Agbor Town in Delta
State, Nigeria in particular and the world as a whole. Therefore, this project
work highlights the dimensions, nature and characteristics of these phenomena
and further examines the implications of the environmental degradation on the
health and socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Orogodo Community.
The increasing rate of human population has led to the
generation of large amount of waste beyond their capacity which has led to
environmental degradation. Other activities which lead to pollution include
thermal power station, flow station, burning of fossil fuels, exhaust fumes. All
these emit harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. that
cause acid rain, global warming and the malfunctioning of human haemoglobin,
etc. Ukpong (2006).
generation of large amount of waste beyond their capacity which has led to
environmental degradation. Other activities which lead to pollution include
thermal power station, flow station, burning of fossil fuels, exhaust fumes. All
these emit harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. that
cause acid rain, global warming and the malfunctioning of human haemoglobin,
etc. Ukpong (2006).
Mba (2007) identified the major sources of water
pollution in Nigeria to include industrial plants, decomposed waste, solid
minerals, mining activities, as well as petroleum mining operations.
pollution in Nigeria to include industrial plants, decomposed waste, solid
minerals, mining activities, as well as petroleum mining operations.
Okorie (2005) identified the distribution of unchecked
gully erosion as a source of water pollution as follows: 600 in Anambra, 300 in
Imo, 59 in Akwa Ibom and 130 in Cross Rivers State. According to him, gully
erosion has destroyed extensive farmlands and development projects. In addition
to the above discourse, another major environmental problem is flooding.
gully erosion as a source of water pollution as follows: 600 in Anambra, 300 in
Imo, 59 in Akwa Ibom and 130 in Cross Rivers State. According to him, gully
erosion has destroyed extensive farmlands and development projects. In addition
to the above discourse, another major environmental problem is flooding.
According to UNDP (2003), Lagos flooding arise from
rivers and streams overflowing their banks therefore indiscriminate dumping of
waste and dredging on Orogodo flow station should not only be discouraged but
offenders should also be punished in order to control environmental
degradation.
rivers and streams overflowing their banks therefore indiscriminate dumping of
waste and dredging on Orogodo flow station should not only be discouraged but
offenders should also be punished in order to control environmental
degradation.
References
Mba, H. C. (2007). Towards More Environmental
Conscious Development Policies in 21st Century. Nigeria Institute of
Town Planners, Benin.
Conscious Development Policies in 21st Century. Nigeria Institute of
Town Planners, Benin.
Okorie (2005). Water Pollution and Rural
Fuel. Implications for Policy Research.
Fuel. Implications for Policy Research.
Ukpong, S. J. (2006). Global and Nigerian Problem Analysis. SIRF, Calabar
November
November
UNDP (2003). Baseline Report on
Flooding and Erosion. Landslide in Anambra, Enugu, Kogi and Lagos.
Flooding and Erosion. Landslide in Anambra, Enugu, Kogi and Lagos.