CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
According to Ogboru, (2006), history and science both seemed to agree that before the advent of man, the environment already existed, and it’s therefore logical to rationalize that the environment proceeded human technologies and scientific development. It is right to postulated that this environment before the advent of man was pure and was discerned from biblical records, when God created the sum total of what was conceived as the environment Ogboru, (2006). He saw that it was good, man therefore inherited a good environment and was constituted as a superior being to conquer all the earthly natural resources, but not to destroy, pollute or degrade the natural resources that were created for the same superior beings (Acho, 1998). According to Acho, (1998), the occurrence of some natural degradation include; earthquakes and draught, which causes harm to natural environment, though the natural environment has inbuilt mechanism to absolve and eliminate some of the harm which originally occur in nature. According to Adediran, (2011), the intensification of the various activities of man has caused a shift in this natural mechanism by increasing the rate at which these incidents occur. The above stem from the perspective of modern environmental imprudence, its known from the beginning of man’s creation, that man has been dependent on the earths ecosystem to provide him with the means of sustenance air to breath, food to eat, water to drink and other natural resources to advance quality of life. In other words, man’s basic needs are hinged upon good clothing and shelter (Adediran, 2011). These are entirely derived from land for life depends on it. The principle of quid planta or solo-solo credit, presupposes that land consist of the surface of the earth, the soil and air space above it as well as all things, which are permanently attached to the soil. And it also includes streams and ponds. Man, being owner of the most inhabitant of the world has his existence hinged on the reservoir of resources within his immediate surrounding for his own sustenance, he exploits the environment for all his needs. However, in this attempt to actualize his dreams of existence, the magnitude of his intrusion on the supporting web of the environment is generating an alarm that cannot be ignored. The consequences of the above situation are the large scale degradation that has been and is still being done to the environment. (Ogboru, 2006).