ABSTRACT
The study
examines the effects of rural poverty on environmental
degradation
in Apa local government area of Benue State. The general
research
objective was to find out the effects of rural poverty on
environmental
degradation in Apa local government area. Other specific
set objectives
were to; ascertain the relationship between poverty and
environmental
degradation in Apa local government, find out the
effects of
poverty on environmental degradation in Apa local
government
and to suggest measures that can be employed to ameliorate
the problem
of poverty on environmental degradation in Apa local
government.
Structural functionalism was adopted to explain the
effects of
rural poverty on environmental degradation. Data was
collected
from 360 respondents using structured questionnaire,
documentary
method and in-depth interview methods. The gathered data
was analyzed
both quantitatively and quantitatively. The study found
out that,
poverty and environmental degradation has a relationship as
the use of
firewood and other natural resources affects the
environment
in Apa local government area. Also, overexploitation of
available
resources is the effect of poverty on environmental
degradation
in Apa local government. The study reveals that
enforcement
of environmental laws will help curtail the problem of
poverty on
environmental degradation in Apa local government. Base on
the results,
the study concludes that, the relationship between
poverty and
the environment has shown that in a farming and fishing
community
like Apa the source of the environmental degradation is
traced to
not just poverty but natural processes. The study recommends
that; there
should be proper orientation of residents on the dangers
of misusing
the environment hence a well inform population will carry
out
activities that will help preserve and not destroy the environment
and
employment opportunities should be created by the government and
private
sectors for poor inhabitants in Apa local government to
curtail the
problem of poverty as it relates to the environment. The
study
recommends that, there should be enforcement of environmental
laws that
will help checkmate and serve as a barrier to those who have
no regard as
to how they use the environment in Apa local government.