THE EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION ON THE EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF
INHABITANTS ALONG THE VAAL RIVER, VREDEFORT DOME
E P de Crom & T Oberholzer
Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology
INTRODUCTION
The pollution of the areas’ life source impacted
Tar road
Dome boundary
River
on the communities livelihood and recreation.
Parys
Natural areas are integral to the wellbeing of
River water can no longer be used for irrigation
human communities (Maller, Townsend & Brown,
North West
(Fig. 5) and farmers had to switch to lower
2002). The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site
income alternatives. Tourism operators can no
is a unique area with great tourism potential, but
longer offer water based recreational activities
faces serious water pollution problems.
and have less tourists visiting the area.
Free State
Inhabitants of the area are the key role players
in tourism development. It is therefore important
to determine how the pollution of the Vaal River
(Fig. 1) has influenced the wellbeing of the
Figure 2: Map indicating the Vredefort Dome area
inhabitants.
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Figure 5: Empty field on the farm Baskop where irrigation crops
used to be planted
Humans have a natural instinct to desire
Almost 70% of inhabitants gave up activities like
contact with nature (biophilia hypothesis) (Bird,
swimming, canoeing and river rafting and some
2007, White & Heerwagen, 1998).
prefer to avoid the river completely (Fig. 6).
Participants in this study attach a high personal
value to nature. They, therefore, spend most of
their free time outdoors (Fig. 3).
Figure 1: A view of the Vaal River from the farm Eerstegeluk
100%
90%
86%
80%
AIM OF STUDY
70%
60%
64%
59%
50%
• What does spending time in nature add to an
40%
Figure 6: Influence of pollution on recreational use
30%
individual’s life?
• How
does
27%
20%
damage
(pollution)
to
the
10%
CONCLUSION
0%
Work
environment make an individual feel?
Recreation
Relaxation
Exercise
Figure 3: Reasons participants spend time outdoors
• What effect does the pollution have on the
• Unspoilt nature plays an important and
lifestyle of inhabitants?
irreplaceable role in individuals’ lives.
Because
inhabitants
value
the
river,
the
pollution is certain to influence their feelings.
• Experiencing pollution of the environment can
STUDY AREA
Results indicate that participants experience
cause negative feelings such as sadness, loss,
feelings ranging from anger to sadness (Fig. 4).
concern and shock.
• Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site (Fig. 2)
Bohm (2003) and Edelstein (2002) say that
• Total area = 30 111 ha consisting of 149 farms
direct
• Economic activities: agriculture and tourism
• The scenery, geological features and rich
experience
of
environmental
degradation, such as pollution, can lead to
• The pollution can have a negative impact on
the
quality
of
life
of
inhabitants
and
consequently affect their lifestyle.
concern, anger, despondence and pessimism.
history make this World Heritage Site an ideal
tourism destination
REFERENCES
60%
50%
50%
.
40%
METHODS
40%
35%
30%
Bird, W. 2007. Natural Thinking A report for the RSPB: Investigating the links
between the Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Mental Health.
35%
30%
20%
• Mixed methodology
• Convenience sampling (inhabitants of Vredefort
Edelstein,M.R. 2002. Handbook of Environmental Psychology. New York: Wiley.
10%
0%
Anger
Sad
Despondent
Concern
Dome living next to the river)
• Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires
Bohm, G. 2003. Emotional reactions to environmental risks. Journal of
Environmental Psychology, 23, 199-212.
Shock
Maller, C., Townsend, M. & Brown, P. 2002. Healthy Parks Healthy People: The
health benefits of contact with nature in a park context: an Annotated Bibliography.
Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences: Melbourne.
White, R. & Heerwagen, J. 1998. Nature and mental health: Biophilia and
biophobia. Erlbaum: London.
Figure 4: Feelings caused by pollution