SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SOIL EROSION ON AFFECTED POPULATION AT SG. LANGAT
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Abstract
Erosion occurs naturally when, during rainfall, water in the river flows rapidly thereby eroding the river banks. Eventually the river banks collapse, forming silt on the base of the river, gradually makes the river shallower, which increases the possibilities of flooding along the river bank. Studies carried out along the Sg. Langat banks had identified the Hulu Langat area as the most seriously affected by soil erosion. The Hulu Langat area is quite heavily populated, mainly by villagers that had set up roots in the area for generations and owned properties in the area. Majority of the population either live in detached kampong houses or terrace houses. These are the people that will be mostly affected by soil erosion occurrences and due to this, impact of soil erosion towards social, psychological, environmental and economics of the affected population was assessed in this study. The impact assessments were made based on findings from interviews and survey questionnaires distributed to locals living in the affected areas.
Responses from the survey carried out were tabulated and analysed to determine the extent of socio economy and psychological impact caused by the soil erosion. It was found that soil erosion occurrences in the Hulu Langat area do not have significant economic impact on the affected community. However, it was observed that there may be potential psychological impact that could include but not limited to increase in anxiety on safety of both lives and properties of the affected community.
