ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SAND HARVESTING IN AWKA NORTH L.G.A., ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Sand harvesting can be described as the process of removal of sand and gravel for the construction of buildings and roads. The nature of its extraction poses some challenges to the environment, which include; erosion, air pollution, and death of aquatic life. The study therefore, examined the environmental impact of sand harvesting in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. with a view to proffering solutions to the negative impacts emanating from such activities. A survey research design was adopted for the study and population of the study was 232,417 based on projected population of the 2006 National Population Census. With a sample size of 400, a stratified random sampling technique was deployed for data selection. A total of 270 correctly filled and returned copies of questionnaire were used for the analysis. The data collected were analysed using frequency tables, percentages and weighted mean. The results showed that, sand harvesting has positive and negative impacts on the host communities. The negative impacts are: high rate of erosion, poor air quality, loss of land, etc.; while the positive impacts include: source of employment, increase in family income and development. The study recommended that monitoring, regulations and licensing of sand harvesters be enforced in addition to carrying out periodic environmental impact assessment on the activities of the sand miners in the area.

Keywords: Construction industry, Environmental impact, Erosion, Pollution, Sand Harvesting