The Impact of Population increase around Lake Babati

Hongoa , Pius Simon (2014) The Impact of Population increase around Lake Babati. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

Lakes are amongst the most productive ecosystems of the Earth. Despite its potential in supporting people’s livelihood in Babati, Lake Babati is being converted into other land uses due to ever increasing population in town. This work evaluates the impacts of population increase around Lake Babati in Babati Town Council. Primary data were gathered by administering the questionnaire to a sample of 100 households. Participatory rural appraisal techniques, participant observation and checklist were employed in data collection. The land use types and land use changes was examined through analysis of satellite imageries. This was attained by making use of ArcGIS10. The results from the present study showed that there was a strong relationship (p≤0.05) between education level, occupation and awareness status of respondent on environmental issues. Also there was a strong association between the anthropogenic activities in particular agriculture/brick making and lake degradation. Lack of awareness under the role of environmental sustainability on lake resources was found to hinder the involvement of local people to Lake Babati conservation. Thus, this study recommends that, natural resources management (including lakes) should be incorporated in the program of study of all education levels to foster awareness raising campaign on role of lake benefits to local people’s livelihoods. Also proper land use practices should be promoted so as to reduce the impacts that has been caused on the lake Babati due to poor land use practices in the study area.

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