jrge
Abstract - Impacts of Coal Mining in Witbank, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa: An Eco-Legal Perspective
|
|
Abstract: Coal mining plays a critical role in the economy of South Africa though posing detrimental environmental effects on aquatic life and the terrestrial environments with one of the major impacts resulting in the deterioration of scarce water resources. From an eco-legal perspective, that is, a legal and environmental assessment approach, the study evaluates the implications of the coal mining on the surrounding communities of Witbank in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, These impacts can be largely associated with water quality, physical and chemical land degradation air pollution through dust fall-out and emissions of particulate matter (PM) as well as toxic gases. The study further explores the effects of Acid Mine Drainage from coal mining which results in significant pollution of land and water resources. The study deploys a mixed research design approach to gather information from the participants. The qualitative data in the form of interviews was analysed using thematic approach whilst the quantitative data in the form of questionnaires was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study notes that there is evidence of environmental harm in the surrounding communities due to the coal mining. The environmental impacts need to be accurately monitored and managed and as such it becomes the role of the governing agencies to ensure mitigation of negative environmental impacts due to mining. In conclusion, there is the need for appropriate proactive measures to be put in place for environmental management to be improved within coal mining communities in South Africa. Keywords: Eco-legal perspective, environmental impacts, environmental management, mining and pro-active measures. |
Abstract - The Political Elite, Church and Corruption in Nigerian Environment
|
|
Abstract: Nigeria, the Giant of Africa is richly endowed with natural resources and high quality human capital but yet to find its rightful place in the comity of nations. One of the major factors responsible for her socioeconomic stagnation is the phenomenon of corruption. This paper examines the role that the state political actors and church leaders played in the entrenchment of corruption in the Nigerian state. Towing a historical trajectory, this paper submits that the structural defects and lacunae in the weak Nigerian state structure was unduly exploited by the political class giving them opportunities to exercise absolute power that enabled them to perpetrate all manners of corrupt practices with impunity. The political class looted the state treasury in turns at the expense of a nationwide socio-economic development. As the state could not better the lots of the masses, the masses lost hope in the state and in their frustration found solace in the church, especially the Pentecostal tradition, which gave the people a promise of hope, miracles and better lives. The church made ordinary citizens to believe that demonic forces or spiritual attacks are behind poverty, illnesses and other misfortunes that besotted them. Thus, the people started looking towards the church for solutions to their physical problems. They flocked the churches in search of elusive miracles and breakthroughs. The exotic life style of the corrupt politicians appealed to the church leaders and they set out to become like the politicians. Sooner than later, some of the church itself became so infected by the value system of corrupt political class; they devised several means of exploiting their congregations. The study found that some church leaders also attracted corrupt politicians to the churches, celebrated them, accepted looted funds from them and preached that the masses should show unconditional obedience to the political leaders in power. Thus, primitive accumulation became a joint endeavour of the church leaders and political leaders. The poor masses became double victims of exploitation; by the state and the church. The study recommends the revival of ethical Christianity, where Gods-consciousness and search for absolute holiness influences directs human behaviour. Keywords: Politicians, military, church, corruption, poverty and Nigeria. |
Abstract - Economic Impact of Drought on Livestock Production in Rural Communities: A Case Study in Nongoma Rural Households
|
|
Abstract: Nongoma is popularly known as the seat of the Zulu Monarch and the home of the mighty King Zwelithini Zulu. King Zwelithini is the traditional hereditary leader of the Zulu nation. The people from Nongoma largely depend on livestock production for their sustainable livelihoods. Unfortunately, Nongoma was not spared by 2015 drought disaster. This affected most their livelihoods. Thus, this study investigated the economic impact of drought on livestock production, which plays significant role in rural communities of the Nongoma area. The study adopted a positivist approach using quantitative research methodology due to the size, availability, and ease of access of the participants. The target population for the study was 600 selected from three tribal authorities from Nongoma which were namely, Matheni, Mandlakazi and Usuthu. Thus, the study sample was 150 rural farmers, which were randomly selected from three study sites. A questionnaire-based survey was employed as a research instrument. The findings of the study unveiled that to a certain extent, Nongoma rural farmers were aware of the drought impact on their livestock keeping, but unfortunately, they lacked strategies to mitigate it. The study thus concluded that although livestock keeping is economically important to Nongoma rural farmers, drought period impacted negatively of their farming activities. Therefore, implementation of improved strategies (e.g construction of dams to ensure water availability to livestock) was recommended. Keywords: Drought, Livestock, production, Rural communities and Nongoma. |
Abstract - Resource and Environmental Insecurity in the Lake Chad Region
|
|
Abstract: Geography has become a major determinant of geopolitics. The nature of a country’s geography has direct influence on the foreign policy posture of the said country. A state naturally does not live in isolation hence it cannot be separated from the direct and indirect influence of neighbouring countries. This study is focused on the Lake Chad environment and the insecurity therein. This study focused on the push and pull effect of resources, insecurity and diplomacy in the Lake Chad environment. It found that agriculture was badly affected following the recession of the Lake Chad. Again, the mass migration of the people to the Lake Chad and their inability to eke-out a living there as well as national insecurity due to Chadian Civil War, Cameroonian Civil War and Islamism insurgency caused widespread irregular migrations into neighbouring countries. The study recommends increased multi-lateral engagements aimed at managing and transforming the deteriorating Lake Chad environment that has become overtaken by insecurity and resource depletion. Keywords: Resource, insecurity, environment, diplomacy & Lake Chad. |
