Population growth livehood and its relationship to environmental degradation in Tanzania: a case study of Bulongwa division in Makete district, Iringa region

The overall study focused on establishing the relationship between population growth, livelihood and environmental degradation which has been experienced in Bulongwa Division. The research premises which guided the study focused on analysing the occupation of people and its impact on environmental degradation, whether education contributed to people to be more aware on the measures to combat their environment. Analysis has been made to see whether agricultural innovation is a result of population growth in a particular area. The findings of the study are based on information gathered through documentary reviews, semi-structured interviews to individuals, questionnaires and observation through transect walk. The bulk of data were analysed using chi-square test and frequency distribution. The study established that there are close relationship between population growth, livelihood and environmental degradation through occupation of the people. Factors associated with population growth like land scarcity, land fragmentation, and change in land use pattern were used to ascertain the growth. Furthermore, it was noted that people in Bulongwa are aware about the existence of the environmental degradation and measures to combat it. However, there is remarkable resistance for people to take serious action to protect their environment. The main factor, which contributes to this, is inadequate land for crop cultivation. The study concludes by giving some recommendations, which are useful by all stakeholders in the area including the villagers, leaders, politicians and the policy makers. Among the recommendations includes: -•Encouraging people to participate fully in environmental management programmes right from problem identification, decision making, planning and implementation. •Strengthening the policy and other related factors, which contributes to raising standards of living of people and environmental conservation •Raising level of awareness and effective implementation of measures that are geared toward environmental conservation •Changing population distribution, density and occupation of people.