ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Major Impacts from Anthropogenic Activities
on Landscape Carrying Capacity of Kuwaiti Coast
Saji Baby1,2, Mahendra S. Nathawat3, Mohammad A. Al-Sarawi4
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1Department of Remote Sensing, Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi - 835215, India
2GEO Environmental Consultation, Hawally, P. O. Box: 677, Al-Surra 4507, Kuwait
3School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi-110068, India
4Kuwait University, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Kuwait
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(1):7-17
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The metamorphosis from land cover to land use for urban, industrial, and other socio-economic developments
in Kuwait has remarkably evolved the “coastal morphological landscape (CML)” such that the
impact has decreased carrying capacity. Information on carrying capacity is vital for decision makers to take
immediate steps in preserving the coast. Mitigation and control measures are essentially required to lower
human interference and to increase carrying capacity. It is noted that among 12 existing anthropogenic activities
commanding the impact on carrying capacity of CML, only 3 were positive, significant, irreversible,
direct and indirect, and long term; whereas others were negative, significant, irreversible, direct and indirect,
and long term. It was found that all 12 categories of ongoing and future projects would have negative impacts
ranging from high (severe) to very high (chronic) levels on carrying capacity of CML, evaluated as significant,
irreversible, direct and indirect and long term. The study lists preventive measures that can reduce negative
impact to achieve considerable levels of sustainability.