Population Dynamics and Water Resource Needs in Bui Division, North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Population growth affects every aspect of the environment and in most causes determines man-environment relationships. One of the main domains impacted by population dynamics is water resource management. This is because a change in any population variable has a concomitant change in the supply and demand of water. This paper therefore examines population dynamics in Bui Division in relation to water provision and management. It aims at bringing out a demand-supply assessment of water uses and requirements so as to ascertain the interrelationships between the supply and demand for water resources. The study relied on field observations as the main primary data collection technique and secondary data predominantly from the various Council Development Plan Reports. Findings revealed that the population of Bui Division has witnessed tremendous growth from 1987 to present, thereby exerting pressure on land, and expanding human activities beyond their limits of sustainability into marginal lands such as watersheds and catchments. As such, the alternative hypothesis was retained meaning that there is a relationship between population
dynamics and trends of water supply and demand in Bui Division. There is a need for extension of potable water services to all the sub divisions of Bui Division. This will increase the proportion of the population that is served with potable water.