An assessment of impacts of extractive industries on landscape
A case study of gypsum mining in Kajiado, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58216/kjri.v4i1.31Keywords:
Extractive Industries, Environmental Impacts, Landscape.Abstract
Kenya is endowed with a wealth of natural resources comprising minerals, forests, wildlife and other forms of biodiversity. In the recent past, the Country has witnessed increased attention in the extraction of minerals such as titanium, gypsum and gold to mention a few. Spurred by a progressive Constitution and an aggressive long term development blueprint, the extractive industry is expected to expand. Mining activities are potentially important contributors to landscape changes and loss of biodiversity.Kajiado County residents have in the past violently protested against land degradation and if nothing is done to understand the nature and magnitude of landscape changes in the study area, environmental management will continue to be a challenge. Discussions in the literature on impacts of gypsum mining on landscape are site specific and lack in details. This study sought to establish the impacts of gypsum mining activities on landscape in Kajiado. The study adopted the descriptive/diagnostic design. Questionnaires were used alongside interview schedules to collect data from a sample of 95 respondents and key informants selected through Simple Random Sampling (SRS), Stratified Random Sampling (SRS) and Purposeful Sampling. Satellite imagery and photography were employed to investigate landscape changes in the study area over the past 32 years. Data was analyzed in descriptive and inferential statistics. Imagery analysis revealed significant land degradation and loss of biodiversity. Questionnaire study however indicated minor importance ( =95, P≤0.001) to the overall contribution of gypsum mining to the county landscape. The study recommends systematic land rehabilitation and re-vegetation
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