An analysis of the changing land use and its impact on the environment of Anyigba town, Nigeria.

Abstract

Urbanization is a process that always initiates the continual transformation of land from one use to the other. Land transformation is presently being experienced in and around fast growing towns, like Anyigba in Kogi State. This study used Remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify, mark, and measure the extent of the various land uses from the Land use map of 1995 and Nigeriasat 1 imagery of 2006. The study revealed that there have been tremendous transformation in the various land uses, with the built-up area expanding more than other land uses with 398.4%. Gaining 167 ha, 613.45 ha, 159.62 ha from Vacant land, Cultivated land, and vegetation, respectively, but losing 176 ha to Vacant land. This spatial and temporal changes in the unplanned growth of the built-up area is exacerbating and impacting negatively on the environment. Environmental phenomena, such as erosion, indiscriminate waste disposal, siltation, and contamination, of River Ofu are on the increase. There is, therefore, a need for an urgent review and update of Anyigba Master plan and the enforcement of development control laws inorder to achieve a sustainable urban growth and development.