Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
for rural poor. Civil unrest and corruption has only worsened the situation. The
problem with the traditional park approach in developing countries is that it fails to
generate sufficient economic incentives for protecting the forest. Rainforests will
only survive if they can be shown to provide economic benefits. To justify the costs
of maintaining parks, local people and governments must see economic benefits in
forgoing revenue from economic activities within protected areas.
Incorporating local communities into the planning and protection of the forest
can increase the likelihood of success and provide needed income to the commu-
nity. Low-impact ecotourism into these areas can increase economic opportunities
while preserving the forest. The Quechau/Tacana people of the La Paz Depart-
ment of Bolivia live in and around the Madidi National Forest. This forest is one
of the most diverse intact rainforests in the entire Amazon. With the support of
Conservation International and the Bolivian government, a lodge was constructed
on the outskirts of the park. It is operated exclusively by the Quechua/Tacana peo-
ple of the forest. The lodge provides employment and income for the local commu-
nity. Their knowledge of the flora and fauna of the forests are valuable skills in
leading small-scale tours through parts of the park. The majority of the community
can maintain their traditional lifestyle supported by ecotourism income. The
arrangement has been beneficial to the Quechua/Tacana people and the forest.
Ecotourism in other areas can help fund conservation efforts by charging park en-
trance fees and employing locals as guides and as support staff in the handicraft
and service sectors (hotels, restaurants, drivers, boat drivers, porters, cooks).
Creating sustainable plans to manage timber and mineral extraction in the for-
est can allow developing nations to grow their economies without destroying their
means for future income. Most tropical countries rely heavily on the revenue gener-
ated by timber exports. With the demand for tropical woods increasing, these coun-
tries see short-term economic growth as a way to improve the quality of life for the
country. However, this short-term rapid exploitation is unsustainable. Proper man-
agement of tropical forests can lead to a sustainable source for timber. Smaller and
less-intensive timber processes, such as selective cutting rather than clear-cutting
can provide tropical wood while retaining sufficient trees to grow and be removed
later. Selective and careful extraction processes can cause less damage to the forest
floor and understory where the next generation of trees are growing. Several Asian
countries, such as Myanmar and Malaysia, have been somewhat successful in this
endeavor. The system breaks down when political decisions, not based on ecologi-
cal principles, are used to guide forestry practices.
An intact tropical forest provides a plethora of useful foods, materials, and
medicines that can be sustainably harvested. Small-scale businesses selling goods
produced from the forest can support local communities. Microcredit facilities can
provide significant economic benefits to the local economy, promote entrepreneur-
ship among local people, and provide sustainable economic activities without
destroying the forests. Rainforest countries can also earn revenue by allowing
scientists to develop products from native plant and animal species. One such
example is Merck Pharmaceuticals. So that the company could look for plants with
