IMPACT OF HUMAN POPULATION ON LAND DEGRADATION. A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Purpose: The better management of land resources is essential for sustainability and for improving the quality of life of people living in the city and the peri urban areas who are mostly farmers With major changes being agricultural land use giving way to residential land use in the peri urban area, access to agricultural land is drastically reduced causing food insecurity problems in the region. The general objective of the study was to establish the access the impact of human population on land degradation. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Findings: The study found out that increase in human population has resulted to more land-use and land cover changes are likely to take place as more land is converted over time, forest to agricultural land, and agricultural land to built-up land, which threatens the existence of agricultural land and water sources in the future. Recommendations: The study recommends that there is the need for stakeholder participation and institutionalize stakeholders’ participations in land use planning process and urban planning. It is only when the public and land owners are well informed about land management issues that a positive change of attitude, adherence to laws on land use among others can be achieved. The county government and the national governments should come up with policies to outlaw arbitrary sale of land especially in areas where the main form of land use is agriculture to enhance the effectiveness of zoning regulations. It is important that the management of land be made the first priority in the study area and the nation as a whole. The various land sector agencies and institutions responsible for land management should enforce the existing laws on land management