Research article

The Impact of Uncontrolled Bush Burning in Ewulu, Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

 Otunkor Oliver Olisemauchei

 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Delta State Polytecnic, Ogwashi Uku, Delta State, Nigeria

Author Email: oliseoliver4real@yahoo.com

          Received 22 October, 2024                     Accepted 20 November 2024                Published 30 November,2024

Abstract

The study was under taken to evaluate the impact of uncontrolled bush burning on farming and agricultural production, potential causes of bush burning as well as its effect on the environment, biodiversity and possible ways of mitigating the effects in the agrarian community of Ewulu. The study found out that indiscriminate precarious discharge of cigarette remains, deliberate act of burning the bush by herdsmen for the purpose of having green grass for their cattle and the recent deliberate uncontrolled burning by some farmers as a means of clearing the bush in preparation for planting as the leading cause of bush burning in Ewulu. Copies of structured questionnaire were employed in obtaining data from the respondents using a systematic - random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study discovered that uncontrolled bush burning has detrimental effects on soil fertility thereby affecting farm produce. Bush burning has adverse effects on forest vegetation, loss of medicinal plants, loss of economic plants, loss of food sources, loss of raw material that can be useful for several art work, construction and shelter materials. It equally affects the economy of the farmers through the loss of their farm produce. In concluding the work, the researcher suggested strengthening, enactment and implementation of bush burning laws, environmental, ecological and forest laws and punishment for offenders. The use of extension workers in educating the farmers and the populace on the adverse effect of uncontrolled bush burning and mitigating its effect on local farmers by compensating those whose farms and farm produce are burnt/destroyed.

Keywords: Uncontrolled, Bush Burning, Farm, Ewulu and Farming