I read only last week that more protected tropical forests could be opened up for development in the Leuser ecosystem of Aceh, a region of Northern Sumatra that still holds claim to being the only place on earth that contains the world’s most enigmatic but endangered species such as rhinos, elephants, tigers and orangutans. I feel a wakeup call is needed by all those in authority who are under the impression that the destruction of yet more forest is a good idea.
To replace Indonesia’s rainforests with vast swathes of oil palm plantations, which have already swamped huge areas of both Borneo and Sumatra, leaving ecological and environmental upheaval and damage in their wake, is surely not the way forward for any developing nation. These once thriving, vibrant islands are dying — dying from the onslaught of the palm oil industry. Palm oil may have made a few industrialists very wealthy but the rainforests are irreplaceable in terms of the wealth of flora and fauna they contain and these are riches of an enduring and reliable kind which benefit everyone, not just a privileged minority.
In my opinion, ecotourism can provide long-term economic security whilst leaving the rainforests intact and the animals that rely on them for their very survival safe from the imminent threat of extinction. What will happen to the Indonesian economy when palm oil sales have reached saturation point? What will happen if or when sales plummet as more buyers become aware of the cost of this oil with regard to the natural world? Already consumers in Europe are turning away from its usage after endless media reports depicting orangutans hanging desperately onto a solitary thin tree whilst all around them smoke and flames engulf their arboreal homes so that the loggers and palm oil companies can move in.
Globally, rainforests are shrinking fast in the name of commercial growth but the price for this so-called “advancement” is being paid for now by Indonesia’s wildlife and the portrayal of Indonesia as a hotbed of biodiversity is increasingly being changed into one of parched, apocalyptical landscapes, displaced people and disappearing species. Is this really the image the country wants to present to the world? There is still time to stop this ecological suicide. It is all down to the Indonesian government and the first step in the right direction is to geographically and temporally extend and fully enforce the soon-to-end moratorium on rainforest destruction on top of rejecting any proposal to destroy any more precious forests in Aceh. The world is watching.
J Elford
UK
source : the jakarta post
In my opinion, ecotourism can provide long-term economic security whilst leaving the rainforests intact and the animals that rely on them for their very survival safe from the imminent threat of extinction. What will happen to the Indonesian economy when palm oil sales have reached saturation point? What will happen if or when sales plummet as more buyers become aware of the cost of this oil with regard to the natural world? Already consumers in Europe are turning away from its usage after endless media reports depicting orangutans hanging desperately onto a solitary thin tree whilst all around them smoke and flames engulf their arboreal homes so that the loggers and palm oil companies can move in.
Globally, rainforests are shrinking fast in the name of commercial growth but the price for this so-called “advancement” is being paid for now by Indonesia’s wildlife and the portrayal of Indonesia as a hotbed of biodiversity is increasingly being changed into one of parched, apocalyptical landscapes, displaced people and disappearing species. Is this really the image the country wants to present to the world? There is still time to stop this ecological suicide. It is all down to the Indonesian government and the first step in the right direction is to geographically and temporally extend and fully enforce the soon-to-end moratorium on rainforest destruction on top of rejecting any proposal to destroy any more precious forests in Aceh. The world is watching.
J Elford
UK
source : the jakarta post
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