International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 2, February-2016 286 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2016 http://www.ijser.org The Environmental Issues of Taraba State Bako T. 1 , Oparaku L.A. 2 and Flayin J.M. 3 Abstract-The objective of this paper is to discuss the nature of environmental degradation (limitation) as a result of desertification, deforestation, flooding, soil erosion and climate change, in terms of their impact on productivity and to suggest potential strategies for amelioration or management strategies to prevent degradation and to maintain an environmental balance for sustainable security. This study was conducted to examine some of the environmental problems of Taraba State. Data were generated from secondary sources as well as photographs. The paper highlights some environmental problems of Taraba State. The paper recommends ecosystem education, natural resource rehabilitation, improved technology, environmental data bank, population data and enablement of existing environmental policies among other measures to overcome the environmental problems. It also advocates for the integration of both local and advanced environmental management strategies in order to achieve a sustainable environment. Keywords: Environment, Issues, sustainability, Taraba State. 1 INTRODUCTION Environment is a resource, which is being consumed at an exponential rate. Unfortunately, this resource cannot be easily replenished. This has led to a lot of environmental concerns and issues which need to be dealt with on a war footing. The global scenario today is fraught with drought, famine, floods, and other natural calamities. The frequency of such occurrences is increasing in a dramatic fashion. The negative impacts of human activities, which affect and alter the balance of nature result into environmental problems. Awareness about human activities causing environmental problems in Taraba State started in the 1960s [1]. Environmental pollution, climate change, environmental degradation, flooding, deforestation, soil erosion, etc, are amongst the important environmental issues [2]. Environmental problems of Taraba State are not peculiar to a particular section of the state. Like the harmattan wild fire, they cut across all regions of the state-rural and urban. Human activities such as farming, hunting, fishing, road construction, building, etc. put a lot of pressure on land, water and air. The environment of the State is thus threatened in several ways thereby causing problems such as soil erosion, desertification, flooding, soil degradation, climate change and river blindness (Onchocerciasis) which affect the populace adversely. Hence, the need for the development of measures that will achieve better environment suitable for all. The measures that enhance environmental quality and resource base on which humans and other species depend, provide basic human needs in terms of food, in economically viable manner and enhances the quality of life for the society as a whole. 1.2 Location and Physical Setting of Taraba State Location: Taraba State lies roughly between latitude 630’’ and 936’’ north and longitude 910’’ and 50’’ east. It is bounded on the North by Bauchi State and Gombe State on the North-east. It is also bounded by Adamawa State on the east and Plateau State on the North-west. The State is further bounded to the west by both Nasarawa and Benue States, while it shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon to the South and South-east [1]. The map of Taraba State showing local government areas is shown in Figure 1 and Table 1shows Taraba State L.G.A. population. Relief and Drainage: The State may be divided into three topographical regions. West of the River Benue, covering mostly Ibi and Karim Lamido Local Government Areas, are the intensive Fadama Swamps of the Muri Plains. This region is very thinly settled and virtually uncultivated [1]. A marked contrast to the flood plains is the undulating lowland of the eastern Muri plains. This is broken intermittently by high rising hills such as the Kungana, Fali and Bali hills which developed on sandstones. Standing above the 350m contour, the hills are developed on both sedimentary and crystalline rocks [1]. IJSER