The Impact of Population Growth on Land Degradation, Case of Rwamagana District (2000-2020)

The main objectives of this study were to assess the impacts of the population growth on land degradation over a period of 20 years. Specific objectives of the study sought to assess the trend of population growth in the study area, to analyze the extent to which land is being degraded in Rwamagana district and to establish the relationship between population growth and land degradation. To achieve these objectives, the study utilized quantitative research approach and three land-sat satellite imageries (2000ETM, 2010 &2020 ETM+) that were processed and analyzed using ERDAS IMAGINE and GIS software to produce GIS maps to detect and quantify land cover changes in Rwamagana district during the years: from 2000 - 2010, and 2010 - 2020. The increase in human population has put tremendous pressure on natural resources. In Rwanda, the growing human population is associated with an increase in developmental needs thus posing a threat to the land resource. This problem has been noted in the high potential areas of the country which support a large population seeking to fully exploit the land resources for their livelihoods and welfare Increasing land use may lead to erosion if hills are farmed, or to a reduction in soil fertility if fallow periods are shortened to the point that the land has insufficient time to replace lost nutrients. For the study, both secondary and primary data were used. The secondary data were collected from population data of 2000, 2010 and 2020. The study result revealed that both population number and density was increased from 2000-2020, and Built up has been increasing from 30.6% t0 47.6%. Due to high population growth, agricultural practices have expanded into upland and marginal areas, and clearing of vegetated has become prevalent. Thus, the existing population growth puts pressure on land resources degradation in the study. However, the utilization of fertilizer and terracing can prevent such degradation. Land degradation can be the result of efficient depletion of land resources for production. In Rwamagana district, human population has been increasing over the years, people have changed land use, and land cover and thus it has been leading to the land degradation. An accuracy assessment of the satellite imageries classification was conducted with field assessment points as reference data and an overall accuracy was determined. The outcomes of the land use maps will be used to evaluate the impact of population growth and their human activities on the land and show that major changes in land use land cover that have occurred. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were provided