CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1: Introduction

In the next 20-30 years, it is projected that we will witness a substantial increase in global urbanization (Nian, 2024), with developing nations urbanizing particularly rapidly. By 2030, most countries especially in the developed countries like China is expected to achieve an urbanization rate of 70% (Wishart, 2021) aligning with the projected global urbanization rate for 2050 (UN-HABITAT, 2020).  Urbanization has intensified resource consumption in various regions, leading to rising water problem, waste generation and exerting immense pressure on the environment (Jeong, 2020). The environmental implications of urbanization and its associated sustainability challenges have garnered significant attention worldwide (Almulhim, 2023)

In the advance and developed countries today, while urbanization brings many social and economic benefits, it can also lead to serious ecological and environmental problems caused by industrialization and dense population concentrations. With rapid urbanization, water scarcity water pollution, and issues of water usage efficiency have become prominent problems in some Areas to f China, American, and other developed countries. Potential struggles between urbanization and water conservation have clearly become an important issue (Feng, 2015). Therefore, it is important to learn how to coordinate water resource utilization during urbanization process.

Also, Urbanization and efficient water resource utilization are essential to economic development. Studies focus on this shows how do water resources support and accelerate the urbanization process. This is as in the developed countries, abundant water resources not only provide for the daily needs of city-dwellers (urbanizing cities), water is also an important input for various industrial and tertiary activities in most advanced worlds industries (2016).

Furthermore, abundant water resources support improved ecological, environmental, and climatological factors that are attractive to business firms and talented workers. This has increase both the speed and quality of urbanization (Hubacek, 2009)

In many developing regions, including Asia and Africa, urbanization is characterized by rapid growth in urban populations, occasioned by rural–urban migration and natural increase by births (UNFPA, 2017). The processes leading to urban growth are usually accompanied by several unintended consequences on land use, livelihoods, land cover and distribution (and abundance) of water resources and general ecosystem diversity.

Studies in African countries like, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria have argued that urbanization often leads to urban expansion. This is because fallow lands that were hitherto water resources and agricultural land are encroached upon and transformed into built-up areas to accommodate new urban population,( Olorunfemi, 2014) Also, urbanization has been associated with habitat destruction, deforestation, degradation, biodiversity loss and urban heat in many countries, in Europe, Asia and Africa (Ramachandra et al., 2019).

In the context of Cameroon and our study area, similar situations are experienced. This is as according to Suiven (2023), Changes in land cover and land management practices have been regarded as the key influencing factors behind the alteration of hydrological systems. Land use modification and/or transformation Bamenda is greatly perceived as the primary catalyst of water resources degradation

Urbanization, increasing population and economic competition induce land use changes in developing countries like Cameroon. This alters runoff behavior, groundwater recharge, atmospheric stability and impacts on the population of Bamenda III Sub-Division (Kimengsi and Balgah, 2016).

The physical environment of Bamenda III Sub-Division and its environs that knew little or no stress prior to the 1980s has witnessed progressive change of the land cover and land use patterns over the past three to four decades. The quality and quantity of water in a watershed may determine the different human activities which are carried out including cattle rearing and gardening (Kometa et al, 2012).

1.3: Location of the study area

The Bamenda III Municipality is bounded to the East by Tubah Municipality, to the South by Bamenda I Municipality and to the West by Bamenda II Municipality. The area is found in Mezam Division in the Northwest Region of Cameroon precisely in latitude 5’57° and 6’00°N and latitude 10’90° and 6’12”0°E of the green which meridian. The Bamenda III has two main clans Nkwen and Ndazh. The natural site of Bamenda III is characterized by the Ndzah plateau to the South East, the Nkwen escarpment which divide Ndzah from Nkwen, undulating and well drained low-lying terrain of Nkwen, several waterfalls and streams. .It has a total surface area of 22.9km2 and an estimated population stands at 150,000.  Figure 1.2 shows the map of Bamenda III.

Figure 1. 2: Location of Bamenda III

Source: Geo-data of administrative limits of Cameroon (National Institute of Cartography, 2020)

1.3.1:  Conducive Climate and Relief.

The Bamenda experience the equatorial climate of the Cameroon type. It has two distinct seasons; the rainy and the dry season. The dry season runs from January, February, March, April and December. The rainy season start in April to around mid-October. The colds month is January with an average’s maximum temperature of 24 (75) the warmest month is February with an average maximum temperature of 30 (86, °). Average rainfall per year range from 1000mm to 2000mm with this favorable climate it has attracted the population to the live and even construct in Bamenda III so as to enjoy this climate  which is very favorable for farming activities especially during the rainy season though challenges occurs as during the raining season the dumping of this solid waste along road, rivers, streams has be contributing flooding of farm lands, , winder distribution of certain diseases and in the dry season , farming practices turn to be hinder with increasing temperature and that doesn’t support certain plant growth and harvest storage.

With regards to the relief of the area, it is characterized by steep volcanic hills and undulating surface with volcanic soil that often supports small agriculture activities though these soil and surfaces are rough especially around metah quarters, sisia but very fertile downstream and other areas. These hilly slopes and relief often contribute to increasing flooding and landslides due to poor land used techniques. Other reliefs found around this locality are waterfalls.

1.3.2. Drainage

Bamenda III water source is drained from a waterfall located at Menteh quarter in Nkwen. This fall originated from a spring in the boundaries of Njah and Awing village some 60km away from the council water plant .the distance of the pipelines from the catchment point to the treatment center is 1.8km and water runs by gravity .this is because there is an attitude difference of 62m between the catchment and the treatment center which permits the Smooth flow of water by gravity. Man activities has greatly affect the drainage system of the Bamenda III for example the dumping of waste or solid waste along the water bodies has greatly affect the flow and purification water in Bamenda III. Though an Area blessed with numerous streams that often aid in water available at some area but the increasing human activities is some detrimental aspects (Bamenda III Council Development Plan, 2022).

1.3.3. Population

The population of Bamenda III municipality is largely cosmopolitan made up of indigenous Nkwen and Ndzah people, migrants from all over the North West and west Regions, other regions of Cameroon and Nigerians. The total surface area of Bamenda is 22.9km hectares and its estimated population stands at 150,000 inhabitants according to projection by the Bamenda III Council, 2020. These diverse populations are often engaged in variety of activities that helped promote the municipality. Amongst these populations are engaged into business, farming practices which is one of the main activities of the population. (Bamenda III Council Development Plan, 2022).

1.3.4. Economic activities 

More than 90% of the rural population of Bamenda III depend largely on agriculture. It provides employment to the population and also serves as a source of income to the indigenes.   Despite the importance of agriculture to the economy, many farmers still carry out subsistence farming with the main crop produced being maize and only excess are sold. Thus, a greater number engaged in’’bayan Salam business’.  (Bamenda II CDP, 2020). Some of the economic and commercial Facilities include: Market facilities: Market facilities are present in almost every locality within the Bamenda III municipality which is namely (Nkwen market) and other patite market in the quarters. Also, commercial activities are aided by the presence of motor Park such as the Amour mezam, Vatican, Nso boys where commercial products are transported via these agencies. (Master Plan Report Bamenda Town 2012).

1.4. Statement of the geographical problem.

Urbanization in the Bamenda III municipality has accelerated significantly over recent years due to population growth, economic development, and migration. This rapid urban expansion poses critical challenges to water resources in the area, leading to issues such as water scarcity, contamination, and the degradation of existing water supply systems. The increasing demand for water, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and poor management practices, exacerbates these challenges, threatening both the quality and availability of water for residents. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective management strategies and policies to ensure that water resources are preserved and enhanced in the face of ongoing urban growth.