Consult an environmental expert before developing your property
Houses abandoned by residents after floods. The houses were constructed in a wetland in Katwe, Makindye Division. Photo by Andrew Bagala.
What you need to know:
We usually take many things for granted especially when we are developing property in particular land. To avoid being victim of ill-informed choices and decisions, it is important to hire experts for advice and direction. Such experts include environmental specialists.
According to www.study.com, environmental specialists are scientists who observe the impact of a population on the environment, identify problem areas and recommend solutions. They ensure that specific regulations regarding air, water and soil are met.
Saving environment
Ms Hajarah Namuli an environmentalist says their duty is very important in saving the environment through protecting water sources, plantations and other features from being exploited.
“The effects we are experiencing today in regard to environmental degradation will be worse for future generations because these days, business people no longer follow the right procedures to protect the environment,” she says
Ms Namuli adds that if this abuse remains unchecked, weather patterns will worsen with rain becoming a rare occurrence. This will in turn affect the economy in terms of cash flow because the agricultural sector which is a major source of revenue will be affected.
“If we do not do anything to save the environment, then I can guarantee you that future generations will suffer the consequences of our carelessness,” she says.
Ms Namuli says, many property owners do not think about the consequences of environment degradation.
“People are constructing in wet lands. This has affected us and we have seen the effects in floods and drought,” she says
She added that because experts are not consulted, there is rapid unchecked industrialisation which has escalated global warming.
Identifying health problems
Ms Namuli says you cannot identify probable health problems that might result in having a development in particular place without consulting experts.
“Many of the health problems that are on the increase today such as cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive and neurological problems can trace their roots to environmental problems such pollution of air, water sources and food,” she says.
Ms Namuli adds that as much as there are some good medical innovations to address such health problems, they are expensive and majority of Ugandans cannot afford them. The easiest and cheapest option would be taking better care of our environment before it’s too late.
Mr Kenneth Sempebwa, a property manager at Icon Property Consultants says as property managers, before putting up any development, one must consult an environmentalist.
Environmentalists have a big role to play in determining what areas should or should not be developed.
Quality of land
Mr Sempebwa says environmentalists assist in identifying the quality of the land you’re going to develop and whether it is suitable for the desired plans. He says experts will tell you what kind of development your property is suitable for.
Mr Sempebwa says t the quality of the land matters when you want to put up a structure, how strong the soil is, if it is a wet land, you need to put more emphasis on the lower ground to have solid structure.
“Usually, buildings collapse because the quality of soil is an issue. If property owners were to consult environmental experts before putting up structures, they wouldn’t incur such loses,” he says.
Future plans
A property manager knows the future plan of a given place by asking the local authorities about development plans.
Mr Sempebwa says with knowledge of future development plans, one can even reserve some land for occurrences such as road reserve expansions. Normally, people with no idea of future plans end up having their structures a demolished to pave way for such developments.
