Disregard or ignorance of intrinsic value, lack of ascribed value, lax forest management and deficient environmental laws are some of the factors that allow deforestation to occur on a large scale.
In many countries, deforestation, both naturally occurring and human induced, is an ongoing issue. Deforestation causes extinction, changes to climatic conditions, desertification, and displacement of populations. Pakistan too is suffering a lot due to this huge problem.
Firstly, deforestation affects economic dynamics. ‘Damage to forests and other aspects of nature could halve living standards for the world’s poor and reduce global GDP by about 7 percent by 2050’. This is according to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Bonn.
It is beyond debate that forest products industry is a large part of the economy in both developed and developing countries. Not only that, deforestation also affects the economy through agriculture. Farmers continue to lament over the lack of rains during planting seasons, and the porous nature of the soil for planting.
Deforestation reduces soil cohesion and the content of water in the soil so that erosion of the top soil, flooding and land sliding can ensue.The resultant effect is that there is a low yield, which does not only affect the individual farmer and his ability to fend for his family and repay his loans.
Furthermore, deforestation is a global warming agent. Whilst there is a raging debate on what factors actually cause global warming, there is certainty about the role of emissions from industrial activities.
The fact remains that global warming is alarmingly heating the atmosphere and carbon emissions from deforestation is no less a contributor. Research says that tropical deforestation is responsible for approximately 20% of world green house gas emissions.
Sadly, anytime we burn wood or it decays, much of this stored carbon are released back into the atmosphere. ‘One tree can make a difference’ is a wakeup call for individuals to learn about trees, plant trees, care for trees, and change their attitude towards trees, including holding to account their neighbours, big agencies and governments, who are irresponsible with the handling of trees and the forest.
FAYEZA ANUM
Lahore