PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION OF LAND USE CHANGES ALONG THE FLOOD PLAIN OF RIVER GWOI IN JALINGO, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Land-use changes along river floodplains are among the environmental challenges faced in most floodplains
across the world as well as in Nigeria. The causes ranges from population growth to urbanization processes
while its effects on man and his environment depend on people's level of technology, awareness and measures
set by governments to protect and preserve the areas. This study examines peoples' perception on the causes,
impacts and adjustments to the land-use changes and Flooding along the floodplains of River Gwoi. The study
used primary data which were generated from the respondents through the administration of 120 copies of
structured questionnaire. The combination of stratified and systematic random sampling was used; Frequency
counts were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that dwellers of River Gwoi flood plains have perceived
the changes in land-use currently taking place on the flood plains. About 69.4% of people living on the floodplains
are aware of the negative impacts caused by the change of land uses on their lives. The result further revealed
that irrigation 60.7% and residential building 39.3% are the major land-use along the floodplains. The result
also revealed that construction of embankments (50.2%), proper drainage system (40.3%) and evacuation (5.6%)
are the prevention strategies taken before flood incidence. Thus, the following recommendations were put
forward: there is need to streamline land-use activities, conserve vital ecosystems like watershed areas and
maintain buffers along stream channels and there should be a constant awareness campaign by the relevant
authorities on the risk associated with the stay on river flood plains. The town planning authority should enforce
restriction of expansion of buildings on the floodplains of the river