Assessing the potential environmental impacts of a sugar factory :

Abstract

Any project for instance a factory is bound to produce impacts to the community within which it operates. These can be positive or negative. Positive impacts are always appreciated and embraced by members of a given community. On other hand, negative impacts are always escorts the positive one and it's these that require shire vigilance as their spill over effects are far reaching and traumatizing than the benefits which can be enjoyed due to the establishment of a particular project. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate any potential environmental impact of Kamuli Sugar Factory with confinement on; wetlands, indigenous land use covers as well as the sugar Cane market. In-depth review of prior literature of various scholars; environmental agencies reports and publication as well as browsing through the internet was done with the aim of achieving the objectives of the study. Such literature was in line with objectives. This information acted as the baseline or reference podium upon which judgment was made to affirm that for real Kamuli Sugar factory can potentially produce impacts to the surrounding communities. The study basically dwelled on qualitative data though quantitative parameter of studying impacts with in the radius of 30km from the sugar mill was centered on. In pursuit of the set at aims, both primary and secondary data was gathered. Primary data was collected through on spot surveys, key informant interviews and so forth yet secondary data collected through; the use of university library, review of environmental agencies' reports, too much to mention. Captured data was then processed and analyzed in both ILWIS (GIS software) and Spreadsheets Microsoft Excel package to attain meaningful and appeasing results. Attained results were both a confirmation and affirmation of the explored land reviewed literature. Results showed that features basically found in zone ONE were substantially threatened to degradation impacts of the factory. Conversely, results showed that farmers in this zone are bound to reap big from the yet to be established Sugar cane market suppliers cane to the factory. Findings further professed that the magnitude of vulnerability dwindles as the distance the factory widens or elongates. The results or findings of the study compelled the researcher to forward a couple of recommendations that would be employed to specifically deal with the negative impacts. Keywords: Vulnerability, Threat, Impacts.