You may think that the obvious solution to rainforests is simply to stop people cutting the trees down. However, it's not as straightforward as that - most of the countries that have rainforests are trying to cope with poverty, debt and high rates of population growth - can they be blamed for trying to make some money? After all, the more economically developed world has used up massive quantities of natural resources. What do you think?
Can rainforests grow back once they have been destroyed?
Rainforests have been evolving for 70 –100 million years and they contain plants and animals that live nowhere else on earth. When a rainforest is destroyed, it is gone forever. It is therefore up to us to help preserve the rainforest before it is too late.
Here are some ideas for the sustainable use of rainforests:
Agro-forestry - a combination of farming and forestry - a mixture of different crops and trees are planted together. This variety helps prevent insect damage and soil erosion, as well as maintaining natural soil fertility.
Banning sales of valuable hard wood e.g. mahogany (but illegal logging may continue).
'Debt-for-Nature' swaps - less economically developed countries could have some of their debts reduced or rescheduled in return for setting up projects to protect their rainforests. The replanting of seeds for trees like mahogany is now being actively undertaken.
Trade in rainforest products to be increased around the world at fair prices.
National Rainforest Parks e.g. Korup in Cameroon. These act as wildlife reserves and may make some money by carefully managed eco-tourism.
Portable sawmills to reduce damage caused by motor vehicles bringing logs to permanent sites.
Tribal reserves for indigenous people so that local land rights and lifestyles can be respected.
Tropical Rainforests
