Rapid Deforestation is Endangering
Every nation aims for a developed or advanced status. Only through development, the nation can progress and ensure the people enjoy a high quality and standard of living. Deforestation clears land of trees and bushes for development. Houses, industries, parks and public infrastructure are built on the cleared land. However, rapid deforestation as a result of greed for quick wealth is endangering both the wildlife and our health.
In Malaysia, the last decades since independence have witnessed massive deforestation and clearing of land for development mainly to build houses, condominiums, theme parks, industries among others. The purpose is to provide facilities and amenities to the citizens. However, this is causing major problems to wildlife as their habitat is destroyed. Our indigenous and unique flora and faun is also being threatened. Protected species such as tigers, elephants, rhinocerous and others are dying due to the destruction of their natural habitat. Many are forced to find new areas which may not be conducive to them. We often hear in the news how wild tigers and elephants encroach into human habitat and have killed or maimed humans while foraging for food.
We need to preserve more forests and reserve areas for these animals as sanctuaries. Aside from providing a haven for these creatures, preservation of forests is also good for us as trees provide fresh and health air. As human population increases, so does pollution. Forests and jungles provide natural protection against pollution by providing uncontaminated air and trapping pollutants.
The government and nongovernmental organization must collaborate to protect the green lung. the presence of factories and increase in number of vehicles on the roads have resulted in an unhealthy atmosphere. In addition Malaysia regularly suffers the haze problem due to forests fires from Kalimantan as well as open burning here. This combined with indiscriminate felling of trees have contributed to a host of medical problems among citizens of our country. Doctors confirm that there has been a dramatic increase in people suffering from lung and breathing complications. A major factor is the destruction of forests coupled with pollution.
Hence, it is vital that the government take immediate steps to prevent this situation from worsening. the state governments should designate more forest reserves and great care must be taken to relocate wild life if their habitat is being cleared for housing or industries. In fact, the government should reduce the number of licences being issued to developers and timber logging companies. They are the main culprits threatening the existence of wild life as well as our health. Fresh air provided by natural forests is important for human survival.
