AN APPRAISAL OF THE STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING DESERTIFICATION IN JIBIA AND KAITA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KATSINA STATE
AN APPRAISAL OF THE STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING DESERTIFICATION IN JIBIA AND KAITA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KATSINA STATE
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Date
2012-06
Authors
OMALE, ECHE JOHN
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Abstract
This study was conducted on the appraisal of some strategies to mitigate
desertification in Jibia and Kaita local government areas of Katsina state.
The study covers four decades. Satellite imageries were used to obtain results for
the study. The satellite imageries were landsat MSS of 1976, landsat TM of 1987, SPOT
XS of 1995 and landsat ETM of 2006, with one satellite imagery for each decade.
Results obtained from these imageries show that desertification in the study area
has reduced drastically; from 43.43% in 1976 to 1.29% in 2006, this can be attributable
to an increase in the mitigation strategies. The major mitigation technique obtained from
the imageries is afforestation. The major afforestation technique used in curbing the
menace of desertification in the study area is the use of reserve forests. The satellite
imageries shows that reserve forest covered only 2.57% of the land area of the study
area in 1976 but increased over time to 66.53% in 2006.Shelter belt was 5.9% in 1987
but increased to 7.39% in 2006.It was also discovered that Dominant savannah
shrubs/minor tree component/Dense grass,(DOSS/MTC/DG) was only 6.6% in 1976
but increased steadily to 46.30% in 2006.
The results also revealed that dominant savannah woodland/Agro forest/Ochard/
Riparian forest (DSW/AF/O/RF) also increased in its area coverage from 4.24% in 1976
to 17.77% in 2006.With these results it can be observed that the area coverage of
desertification has reduced drastically over time in the study.
Questionnaires were also administered to the inhabitants of the study area and
results obtained show that tree planting was the most effective means to curb
desertification in the
study area.The result shows that 50% responded that tree planting is effective, 30% said
it is fairly effective, 3% said it is not effective and 15% said it is very effective.
It was also revealed from this study that some organizations such as European
Economic Community/Katsina State government EEC/KTSG, Katsina Afforestation
Project Unit KTAPU and Local government Councils are the major agencies that are
responsible for mitigating desertification in the study area.
It is recommended that afforestation programme should be intensified in order to stamp
out desertification in the study area completely. Besides more water reservoirs should be
constructed for the provision of water for irrigation purposes. Alternative source of fuel
wood should be developed to reduce deforestation.
Description
AN M.Sc RESEARCH THESIS
DEPARTMENT OFGEOGRAPHY
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
SUPERVISORS:
PROF. E. O. IGUISI
DR. A.L.BELLO
JUNE 2012
Keywords
APPRAISAL,, STRATEGIES,, MITIGATING,, DESERTIFICATION,, JIBIA,, KAITA,, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS,, KATSINA STATE.