An Investigation of the Poverty- Environmental Degradation Nexus: A Case Study of Katonga Basin in Uganda
This study aimed at identifying the poverty/environment nexus in Katonga basin. Our analysis
focused on spatial relations between poverty levels and environmental problems at the district level. Our study identified a poverty/environment nexus for cases where poverty levels exhibited strong spatial correlation with two of the four principal environmental problems. Deforestation and wetland degradation were shown to be positively linked with poverty in a spiral web compared to access to clean water, access to toilets, and access to electricity and use of charcoal and firewood that exhibited no significant linkage. We conclude that the welfare of the poor in Katonga basin would be significantly enhanced by close integration of poverty-alleviation and environmental strategies aimed at reducing deforestation and wetlands conversion. A geographic focus on the poorest districts in Katonga basin would appear to be most beneficial.
