The Hillside Before the Rain
Families on a Mount Elgon hillside depend on farming and charcoal, but tree loss has increased erosion and landslide danger. What should the village council do?
Senior 1 · Term 2 · Environment and pollution
For many years, families in a village on the slopes of Mount Elgon have grown food and cut trees for charcoal. The charcoal money helps them buy food, medicine and school requirements.
More families have recently cleared land on the steep hillside. Without enough tree roots to hold the soil together, rainwater now carries loose soil into gardens and streams. Cracks have appeared above several homes, and the next season of heavy rain is approaching.
The village council must act, but a complete ban on tree cutting could leave some families without an income. The council needs a plan that protects people from erosion and landslides while helping families continue to earn a living.
Think about the situation
What has created the danger facing the village, what could happen if nothing changes, and what plan should the council adopt to protect both the families’ livelihoods and the hillside? Use details from the situation and explain why your plan could work.
Take your time.
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