Rainforest and the Indigenous People
Tropical Rainforest in West Papua |
World Demand for Forest Products
Wood, paper, palm oil, cocoa beans and coffee are some of the products from the forest area around the world. As the human population is increasing, their demand for forest products is also increasing. To meet this demand more trees have been cut, and pristine rainforest have been cleared and converted into monoculture plantations. Most often the establishments of large scale plantations are done by large companies backed by governments. Such operations corner the indigenous people who have lived inside the rainforest for hundreds of years into very difficult positions. Receiving very little compensation (which they may consider a lot), these tribes sell their lands.
Deforestation
Today, the size of this important rainforest ecosystem is decreasing rapidly due to the conversion of forestland into mono-culture palm oil plantation or housing area for the rapidly growing human population. The endangerment of trees will also mean the endangerment of animals. Most of the animals living in the rainforest depend on plants for food, and shelter. Plants also depend on animals for the dispersion of their seeds. For example, birds, after eating fruits from a tree will drop the seeds on places that are far from the parent tree.
How to preserve rainforest
It has become the obligation of all of us to preserve rainforest. We will protect this precious environment if we know there are a lot of benefits which we can get from the green trees that grow in the jungles of tropical region far away from their homes. Public education about the roles of rainforest in absorbing CO2 gases and neutralizing the global warming should be done in various mass media.
Birds of Paradise are some of the tourist attractions in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari |
Hiking is the best way to explore the rainforest in the mountains. Wear a good pair of shoes and apply mosquito repellent lotion before walking in the jungle. Anybody who goes trekking in the rainforest usually brings camera with him or her. A pair of binoculars is also useful for watching birds or other wild animals. Rainforest based tourism helps local people generate alternative income from non-extractive services which in return encourage them to preserve the biodiversity of their forest.
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in trekking and camping in the forest of West Papua.
European visitors were watching birds of paradise |
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in trekking and camping in the forest of West Papua.