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Community responses to environmental and livelihood impacts of government-initiated dumpsite in Tibar Village, Liquica District, Timor-Leste
Thesis Abstract:
The study aimed to analyze the community responses to environmental and livelihood impacts of a government-initiated dumpsite in Tibar Village, Liquica District, Timor-Leste. Specifically, it aimed to describe the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the local people around the dumpsite; identify the impacts of dumpsite on the environmental conditions and people’s livelihood; determine the government’s program in addressing the impacts; and analyze the local people’s responses in addressing the negative impacts of the dumpsite.
The study employed the survey method, key informant interviews, focus group discussion, and secondary data analysis. Simple random sampling was used in selecting 82 household heads who served as the respondents of the study. Qualitative method was employed to analyze the data using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and range.
Results showed that majority of the respondents were married, head of families, males with mean age of 48 years, illiterate, and with large households composed of 5–10 members. Majority were farmers earning about USD 100 per month.
Almost all of the respondents affirmed that prior to the dumpsite operation, the soil, air, and drinking water were all good. However, after its operation, the soil and air quality had been negatively affected. The respondents were not sure with the generation of leachate that may have affected the water source since no chemical test had been conducted to prove the quality of drinking water.
Majority of the respondents affirmed that the dumpsite had caused environmental nuisances and interfaces resulting from improper solid waste management. Also, there were disturbances from movement of vehicles, strangers, children, and animals in the area. Likewise, the operation of the dumpsite had impacted the livelihood of the communities in the area as shown by the by the gradual increase in the number of farmers involved in scavenging and farming at the same time. The women and children had joined the men in scavenging for the instant cash that they get.
The only obvious response of the community members was the maintenance of cleanliness at the household level by regularly cleaning their house and their vicinities. However, they still lack enough knowledge in identifying the waste composition which is important in reusing, recycling, and reducing wastes. Almost all of the respondents stated that there are technical, biophysical, and social problems caused by the operation of the dumpsites. Despite the presence of these problems, there were no government programs to address them. Hence, the respondents suggested a number of government programs to address the identified problems.