S6 UNIT 15
Overview
By the end of this unit, Learners should be able to evaluate the impact of conserving natural resources and tourism on the sustainable development in the different countries of the world
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND TOURISM
a) Definition of the environment
The word Environment is derived from the French word “Environ” which means “surrounding”. Ordinarily, environment refers to all things that surround us. Our surrounding includes biotic factors like human beings, plants, animals, microbes and abiotic factors such as light, air, water, soil, etc.
Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the Earth’s natural surroundings because of excessive exploitation of the available resources: water, air, flora, fauna, soil etc.
Environmental conservation is the act of protecting the environment against destruction.
b) Components of the environment
- Abiotic environment: It includes all non-living things like rocks, minerals,
water, weather conditions.
- Biotic environment: It includes all living things like plants, animals, Microorganisms.
c) Factors responsible for environmental degradation
- Overpopulation: Rapid population growth puts strain on natural resources which results in degradation of our environment. Mortality rate has gone down due to better medical facilities which have resulted into increased lifespan. A big population simply means more demand for food, clothes and shelter. You need more space to grow food and provide homes to millions of people. This results into deforestation which is another factor of environmental degradation.
- Pollution: Pollution, in whatever form, whether it is air, water, land or noise is harmful for the environment
- Deforestation: Deforestation is the cutting down of trees to make way for more homes and industries. Deforestation contributes to global warming as decreased forest size puts carbon back into the environment.
- Swamp reclamation: The extensive drainage of swamps or wetlands has serious effects on the environment. This has resulted into inadequate water supply and the drained areas soon become arid.
- Bush burning: This is done by different societies for different reasons. Burning of the vegetation results into the land being left bare thus the exposure of the top soil to wind and running water hence erosion and soil deterioration.
- Urbanization: Urbanization refers to the increase of population in urban areas and the horizontal expansion of urban areas. Urbanization is, therefore, associated with the expansion of the city over the natural environment, the increase of traffic congestion, smoke, acidic rainfall, global warming, etc.
- Extraction of minerals: Mining and quarrying of rocks lead to exhaustion of minerals, destruction of scenery beauty, increased pollution, mining operations release effluents that contaminate water.
- Natural Causes: Things like avalanches, quakes, tidal waves, storms, and wildfires can destroy nearby animal and plant groups to the point where they can no longer survive in those areas.
15.2. Consequences of environmental degradation, methods of environmental conservation and importance of environmental conservation
a. Consequences of environmental degradation
- Deforestation reduces rainfall, drives climate change and desertification.
- Flooding destroys agricultural land, crops, loss of properties, lives and contaminates safe drinking water.
- Accelerated soil erosion due to deforestation making the land to become unproductive.
- Increased landslide leads to large expanses of bare land and this limit human occupancy.
- Silting of rivers, seas and oceans this has led to reduction in size of water bodies and this affect the climate of the surrounding areas and the productivity of the land.
- Increased sedimentation: This leads to the reduction of water levels in river, streams, swamps and lakes and finally the occurrence of drought.
- Increased global warming: This leads to gradual rise in world temperature which destroys Ozone layer, high evaporation rates and aridity.
- Desertification: This reduces the land productivity due to the spread of desert - like conditions such as very low rainfall, high temperature and low humidity.
- Impact on human health: Areas exposed to toxic air pollutants can cause respiratory problems like pneumonia and asthma. Millions of people have died of indirect effects of air pollution.
- Biodiversity loss: This is the reduction of large plants and animals. Biodiversity is important for maintaining balance of the ecosystem in the form of combating pollution, restoring nutrients, protecting water sources and stabilizing climate. Deforestation, global warming, overpopulation and pollution are some of the major causes for loss of biodiversity.
- Ozone layer depletion: Ozone layer is responsible for protecting earth from harmful ultraviolet rays. As the ozone layer will deplete, it will emit harmful radiations back to the earth.
- Loss for tourism industry: Environmental damage in the form of loss of green cover, loss of biodiversity, huge landfills, increased air and water pollution can be challenges to tourism.
- Economic impact: This is when the country invests much money to restore degraded zones. For examples, the government of Rwanda is spending much to assist people affected by recurrent natural hazards. The economic impact can also be in terms of loss of tourism industry.
b. Methods of environmental conservation
The conservation of the environment can be done through different ways such as the following:
- Environmental education and awareness through the mass media (radios, newspapers, etc).
- Introduction of better farming methods which help to maintain soil fertility and to prevent soil erosion.
- Enacting of laws protecting the environment like forest, wetlands, wildlife, etc.
- Establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves to protect the wild animals.
- Developing alternative sources of energy like solar energy, hydro- electric, biogas energy etc.
- Treatment of industrial wastes before discharge into lakes, rivers, oceans etc.
- Afforestation and reforestation as trees help to protect catchment areas, control surface run off and the balance of weather and the ecosystem in general.
- Controlling population growth and its negative effects through birth control and family planning.
c. Importance of environmental conservation
Environmental conservation is important for many reasons, including
- Protecting the ozone layer,
- Maintaining animal and human food chains and making efficient use of non-renewable resources.
- It saves our natural resources
- Reduces pollution
- Preserving potable water, by saving water we would be saving the lives of plants, animals and mankind. That’s how conservation would benefit the environment.
15.3. Pollution
The term pollution may be defined as all processes that lead to the contamination of the environment or the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the eco-system.
15.3.1. Main types of pollution
- Air pollution: when we say atmospheric pollution, we mean all harmful substances that can be transported in the air to affect people animals or property.
- Water pollution: This refers to all the processes that lead to the addition of toxic and harmful substances like industrial effluents to both surface and underground water thereby, contaminating it and making it less safe for use.
- Land/soil pollution: This is a process of increasing dumping of waste materials on/to the land such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial wastes, etc.
- Noise pollution: This is the harmful or annoying level of noise. It is common in urban centers where there are many vehicles, big trucks, trains and near airports and industries.
15.3.2. Causes of pollution
- Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and petroleum, is the leading cause of the greenhouse effect and is responsible for rising of global temperature.
- Gases emitted by automobile contain unburned hydrocarbons, carbon dioxideoxide of nitrogen that contributes to acid rain, smog and global warming.
- Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides used in farming activities pollute the soils while killing micro-organism in an area.
- Disposal of garbage from large cities leads to the contamination of land. The garbage consists of high synthetic and plastic materials that take longer to decompose than the primary biodegradable waste materials.
- Industries discharge their wastes into nearby water bodies thus polluting them.
- Nuclear tests done in open water surfaces pollute them hence affecting aquatic life.
15.3.3. Effects of pollution
- Pollution leads to the reduction of fresh air which is very vital for humanity and animals during respiration.
- It is the main factor of global warming or greenhouse effect, water borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and bilharzia.
- Air pollution leads to air borne diseases of respiratory system such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and tuberculosis.
- Heavy pollution affects visibility which can cause traffic accidents.
- It also leads to the formation of acid rain. When such rain reaches the ground, it pollutes and spreads pollution even into surface and underground water bodies.
- Destruction of the Ozone layer due to different gases emitted in the atmosphere. Therefore, dangerous solar radiations reach the earth surface.
- Soil pollution leads to the formation of barren land, which is not productive unless fertilizers and soil additives are utilized.
- The use of atomic bombs results into the pollution of the land reducing its productivity as well as malfunctions of the human bodies.
15.3.4. Solutions to the problems of pollution
- Treatment of the pollutants before their disposal so as to reduce the degree of toxicity and harm they can have on the water bodies.
- Setting laws to prohibit the discharge of toxic wastes into international water bodies.
- Building of sea wages treatment plants before it is discharged into lakes and river
- Car manufacturing countries are redesigning their car engines and exhaust systems so as to ensure further combustion and thereby reduction in the level of concentration of toxic gases.
- Clean up areas where oil spills, a cleaning exercises has been undertaken to remove oil substance from the surface of the water and make water clean.
- The issue of nuclear test can be overcome by signing several treaties through organizations like United Nations and NATO.
- Introduction of environmental friendly techniques of controlling weeds and pests such as physical and biological methods.
- Construction of elongated chimneys high into the sky will protect the surrounding areas from the immediate
- Disastrous effect of pollution
15.4. Catastrophes
A catastrophe is a large-scale disaster or a horrible event. We have natural catastrophes and non-natural calamities.
15.4.1. Natural catastrophes
A natural catastrophe is an unexpected event, caused by nature
Table showing natural catastrophes
Type of catastrophe | Definition and causes |
Earthquakes | Earthquake is the vibration or shaking of the ground due to sudden release of energy stored in the rocks beneath the earth surface. Earthquakes may result from a combination of factors like faulting, volcanic eruption, landslides where for example faulting causes vibrations which would spread far from the center of disturbance. |
Drought | Drought: This is a prolonged period of low rainfall and shortage of water resulting from too much sun shine. |
Flood | Flood: This is an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limit. This means that water spreads to cover areas that are normally dry land. Floods are caused by prolonged heavy rainfall on extensive plains and meandering river courses. |
Tsunamis | Tsunamis: This is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Tsunami is caused by earthquake and volcanic eruption that leads to displacement of water in different directions. |
Wind | Wind: This is air in motion above the surface of the earth. It is caused by differences in pressure. Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The wind with high speed causes enormous catastrophes where it passes such as destruction of houses, etc. |
Volcanic eruption | Volcanic eruption is a process through which a stream of solids, gases and ash is violently ejected to a height of several miles from a volcano. Volcanic eruption results from the increase of temperature within the mantle (interior of the earth), and this forces molten materials to erupt. |
Diseases: A disease is a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant. It produces specific symptoms or affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury, e.g. cholera, tuberculosis; AIDS, etc. Poor hygienic conditions cause diseases like cholera while disease like AIDS are caused by virus called Human Immune Virus (HIV)
15.4.2. Non-natural catastrophes /calamities
- War: it refers to a state of organized, armed conflict between countries or group within a country.
- Fire: A state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame. High atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) offer favorable circumstance for a fire to start.
- Famine: it is a widespread scarcity of food that may apply to any faunal species, which phenomenon is accompanied by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and increased mortality.
15.4.3. Effects of catastrophes
- Loss of lives and destruction of properties. This happens when buildings fall down due to earthquakes, floods, Tsunamis, etc.
- Droughts wither the plants and human beings face hunger and starvation. Animals and birds die; some move away to look for food.
- Population decreases in places where catastrophes occur due to displacement and death of people.
- Agricultural and industrial productions are negatively affected by pests and diseases.
- Occurrence of water borne diseases like bilharzia which is caused by water snails in stagnant water.
- Catastrophes reduce the capacity of the soil to store nutrients and water, thus make the environment drier.
- Catastrophes can lead to mudslides, soil erosion and landslide in mountainous areas.
- The government spends a lot of money for restoring the damages. This money would be used in other developmental projects.
- Degradation of the crust by sediments on the earth surface by stripped soils or the weathering of rocks at their base where they are in contact with the soil.
15.4.4. Solutions to catastrophes
- Building terraces and channels
- Drought can be controlled by afforestation
- Increasing plant cover
- Practice of modern agriculture
- Building the houses that can resist to earthquakes
- The government must provide budget to control catastrophes
- Prevention of the human caused fires through education and environmental modification.
- The prevention of wars: people should discuss any differences that arise.
15.5. Tourism
15.5.1. Definitions, major tourist areas of the world and factors affecting the development of tourism in the world.
a. Definitions
- Tourism is a travel from one place to another for the purpose of leisure, research, business, instruction and education.
- Eco-tourism / ecological tourism (green tourism) is the practice of involving the community living around the tourist attraction sites in the management and conservation of such sites and the surrounding environment.
- Domestic tourism is whereby the local people visit places of interest within their country for study, pleasure or recreation.
- International tourism involves organized tours by people from their countries to other countries.
b. Major tourist areas of the world
The most areas of the world are:
- New York as the headquarter of international organization like United Nations, World Bank, etc.
- Europe as a developed continent with magnificent cities such London, Paris, Geneva etc.
- Rome, Mecca and Jerusalem as religious centers.
- Historical sites like pyramids of Egypt, Great Wall of China,
- National parks and resorts like Disney World in Florida (USA), Disney in Paris (Europe), Akagera (Rwanda).
- Beaches in Germany, Seychelles and along coastal lands.
- Mountainous regions like Alps, Himalayas, Kilimanjaro, Rockies, Atlas, Appalachians, Birunga in Rwanda.
c. Factors affecting development of tourism in the world
- Climate: A favorable climate especially sunny condition attracts people from cooler northern countries to tropical regions.
- Political stability favors the development of tourism as the average tourist tends to be easily frightened away from an area with insecurity.
- Capital: Acquired funds help to develop tourist physical and human resources.
- Government policy: Governments set explicit policies of encouraging tourists to visit their countries by creation of board which plan, market and manage the tourism industry. This is one of the responsibilities of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda.
- Accessibility: Improvement of means of transport like roads, airport, favor the development of tourism.
- Accommodation: Tourists will be influenced to travel to those destinations where they are assured of decent and affordable accommodation.
- Advertisement: Tourist attractions are made known to the local and international community using mass media. This information markets wildlife and other tourist attractions.
- A wide range of tourist attractions in a particular area attracts many tourists both local and international tourists
d. Importance of tourism in the world
- Tourism is a big foreign exchange earner. Countries benefit from the sale of licenses to tour operators who are taxed on their profits and entrance fees to tourism sites. Tax from tourist hotels is a source of revenue to governments.
- It offers employment to thousands of people in both public and private sectors.
- It enhances the development of industries particularly the accommodation and service industries.
- It enhances the development and the general improvement of infrastructure. Roads leading to tourist attractions are well maintained. Airstrips to such places have been constructed.
- Improvement in the standards of living where people earn income because tourists buy basic needs and luxuries.
- It enhances the development of international cooperation between countries.
- A profitable tourism tends to lead to renewed interest in the protection of wildlife and natural resources so that continued existence lead to sustainable development.
- Tourism expands market for locally produced commodities/goods. The demand for certain items may increase as tourism develops.
e. Impact of tourism on the environment
- The loss of biodiversity:
- Protected animals in the national parks may escape and harm people and damage their crops and animals.
- Tourists leave fire on the camping and picnic sites which causes damages to vegetation. This may lead to the loss of valuable forest
- Pressure on the water resources: The tourism industry generally over uses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, golf courses and personal use of water by tourists. This can result into water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water.
- Land degradation: Important land resources include minerals, fertile soil, forests, wetland and wildlife. Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities have increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes. In areas with high concentrations of tourist activities and appealing natural attractions, waste disposal is a serious problem and improper disposal can be a major despoiler of the natural environment - rivers, scenic areas, and roadsides.
- Air and noise pollution: Air and noise pollution from airplanes, cars, and buses, as well as recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and jet skis, is an ever-growing problem of modern life.
- Sewage: Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads to increased sewage pollution. Wastewater has polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist attractions, damaging the flora and fauna. Sewage runoff causes serious damage to coral reefs because it stimulates the growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals, hindering their ability to survive.
15.5.3. Problems affecting the tourism in the world and the prospects
a) Problems affecting tourism in the world and prospects
- Climate changes: Due to global warming and climate changes, regions which used to be well-watered and which formed favorable habitats for animals and plants are becoming drier.
- Decline in wildlife: Incidences of poaching where animals are killed for game, meat, skins and tusks have led to a decline in the population of wild animals.
- Encroachment on national parks due to population pressure, and this is threatening the survival of tourism industry.
- Violence or political instability limits the number of tourists coming in the country.
- Diseases: they destroy plants, kill wild animals and tourists. Diseases like malaria, sleeping sickness, river blindness etc., scare away tourists.
- Less supportive government policy: For example, when the government fails to eradicate poaching, encroaching or to set advantages that attract tourists such as getting entry visas etc.
- Poor management skills: This is in terms of lack of skilled labors in form of international chefs, leisure and hospitality specialists etc.
- Under developed tourist attraction sites such as historical sites, forest without accommodation facilities, poor catering services.
- Hostility: Some individuals attack tourists and rob their properties.
b) Solutions to the problems of tourism
- Improvement of tourism facilities and amenities: transport services and infrastructures, accommodation, security, etc.
- Making the publicity of tourist attractions through television, newspapers, internet, etc.
- Ensuring anti- poaching and patrol: regulation against hunting and killing of game animals and bush burning in areas gazette for wildlife have to be institutionalized.
- Vigorous programs to control the spread of diseases.
- Training tourism workers in customer care management and service delivery.
- Enforcement of laws governing wildlife protection to ensure wildlife sustainability to attract tourists.
- More game reserves should be gazetted where more wildlife can be protected and conserved to ensure a variety of wildlife which attracts more tourists
15.5.4. Case Studies.
a. Tourism in East African Countries
East African Countries receive tourists originating from worldwide but the majority are those from countries within Africa, Europe and North America and some others from Asia.
- Major tourist attractions in East African Countries
- Great abundance of wildlife: animals like elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, lions, leopards, cheetah, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and antelopes.
- Coastal beaches and fringing coral reefs on the coasts of Dar es Salam and Mombasa.
- Beautiful scenery (Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro, volcanoes in Rwanda, block mountains, Great Rift Valley).
- Pleasant and healthy climate which is moderate.
- National parks: Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Tsavu, Akagera National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ruvubu National park, etc.
- Cultural diversity, they have unique costumes, traditional dances (Intore in Rwanda), music and crafts.
- Drainage features like Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Kivu, Rift valley Lakes, swimming, sun bathing, all attracts tourists.
- Historical sites e.g. archeological sites like Olduvai gorge, the famous Fort Jesus, Kasubi tombs for the fallen kings of Buganda, museums, Kings’ palace (Nyanza -Rwanda), etc.
- Factors influencing tourism industry in East African Countries
- Availability of a wide range of tourist attractions that are found in various countries of East Africa.
- Supportive government policy. E.g. tax concessions to tourists, eradication of poaching, gazetting of national parks.
- Ideal tropical climate: the warm tropical climate is enjoyed by many visitors from the cold regions such as Europe and North America.
- Relative political stability compare to other African countries guarantees tourists security and safety.
- Well-developed accommodation facilities in form of hotels and lodges of the international standards.
- Effective advertisement both at home and abroad to make tourists aware of the existing attractions and facilities.
- Skilled labors in form of tour guides, game rangers, chefs who can prepare international dishes and spirits or wines.
- Good hospitality offered by the people in East Africa especially those who work in the hotels, transport sector, and as tour guides.
- Presence of capital to inject in the tourism industry as provided by local banks and private sector.
- Good international relationship with other countries such as U.K, Germany, USA, Canada, has promoted tourism.
b. Tourism in USA: Case study of tourism in the state of Florida
The state of Florida is renowned for its white sandy beaches, camping sites, Fort Myers Sanibel Island, Orlando resort hotel, Amelia Island, National parks and Zoos (De Soto, dry Tortugas) and endless summer which attract tourists when it is winter elsewhere in United States of America and Europe.
Factors that favored tourism in Florida
- A reliable transport and communication network of railway, air, water and road.
- Presence of tour agencies and operators.
- Massive advertisement both in USA and abroad.
- Natural beauty of Florida.
- Several species of beautiful birds such as Bald Eagle, Caracara, Pelicans Whooping and sand hill cranes and others.
- Availability of capital to invest in infrastructure development.
- The amazing architectural building designs especially along Miami Beach.
- Beautiful climate: sunny and cool breezes.
- Skilled labor force working in the tourism sector.
- Presence of the variety of wildlife ranging from mammals to reptile
c. Tourism in Switzerland
Tourism is one the leading economic sectors in Switzerland. Switzerland has three main topographic regions namely Jura mountains in the Northwest, Alps in the South and Central Swiss plateau or Mittelland. Other tourist attractions are water bodies (like river Rhine, lake Lucerne, Lake Geneva), conducive climate, wild life with diversity of plants and animals, culture especially paintings, music, architecture, etc.
Factors that have favored the tourism industry in Switzerland
- Geographical location of Switzerland: it is located in heartland of rich and developed industrialized region of Europe: France, Germany, Italy.
- It has developed the winter sport of Ski and Alpinism in the summer.
- It is endowed with a variety of relief that provide scenic beauty.
- Drainage system (Rhine river) in Switzerland is another attraction.
- A well-developed hotel, motels and lodging sector has provided adequate accommodation.
- The Swiss have a well-developed transport and communication networks.
- Swiss hospitality is no doubt a boost to tourism.
- The development of package tours.
- Massive advertisement through magazines, the internet, posters, phone short massages.
- Abundant and cheap hydro-electric power. This has enabled Switzerland to electrify her Railway system.
- It has political stability and her policy of neutrality, Switzerland has remained stable since Napoleonic wars.
- Relatively stable Swiss economy.
- The presence of many international bodies (International Committee for the Red Cross: ICRC, FIFA, etc.)
- Availability of capital from well-developed banking system