Environmental and Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Stone Quarrying in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the environmental and socio-economic impact of stone quarrying in Tororo district. To achieve this, we used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions, where the information obtained was confirmed by field observations. The data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics like percentages, tables and graphs. Results indicated that, stone quarrying did more harm than good on the biophysical environment as it came with terrestrial ecosystem degradation as reported by 65%, water quality deterioration as reported by 34% as well as deafening noise and air pollution as indicated by 100% of the total respondents. Socio-economic analysis indicated that benefits of stone quarrying outweighed costs. For example, 100% of respondents indicated that employment arose from stone quarrying and 79% stated that, standards of living have been elevated by the activity. The district local government realizes local revenue from the activity. The activity is however associated with accidents and subsequent loss of lives and physical body damages due to collapsing caves of quarries. It was therefore concluded that, Tororo district environment office should monitor the quarrying activities to avoid leaving open pits and caves that are dangerous to lives of people at quarry sites.