Some Leading Causes of Rainforest Destruction

"Deforestation, in other words, is an expression of social injustice."

- Marcus Colchester

Deforestation or rainforest destruction is among the major problems in almost every nation in the world but is commonly not addressed properly. In fact, no one knows how wide is the effect of this destruction to the environment and even to us, humans. Data presented are not precise, and it also yields different interpretation. 

Here we have listed some of the leading causes of rainforest destruction that may lead to how we can think of the ways on how to address them:

Logging. The practice of cutting down mature trees for their timber by commercial companies and expecting them to regrow naturally is actually untrue. Selective logging, as they termed it causes great damage to rainforest not only affecting the trees to be cut down, but also other trees that are surrounding nearby. Heavy machineries and construction of roads for these equipments are of great threat to the natural growth of rainforest. Cutting down of a mature tree accompanies destruction to plants, vines and epiphytes depending on it, and the tracks constructed for machineries cause damage to the ground. 

Construction of Large Dams. Studies showed that thousands of hectares of rainforest are being destroyed every year in construction of hydro-electric dams. This construction not only led to lasting effects of rainforest destruction but can also have destructive effects to humans. In several countries, sheer weight in dams are proven to be the cause of earthquakes; waterborne diseases increased; and as dams trap silt, it produce soil erosion. 

Tourism. Who would even thought that tourism purposes which are intended to benefit the people can cause destruction of rainforest that can harm the people? How? Through the construction of national parks. National parks are constructed in order to make people especially tourists aware of the wonders of nature, but excessive tourism produces great destruction to the natural rainforest. Pollution of waterways and ineffective waste management programs are sacrificed. 

Animal Raising and Planting. Clearing of forests for the purpose of land cultivation and planting are causes of present ay forest degradation. As we all know, forest soil are sensitive to any chemical put in it and because farming and agriculture practices are now in the use of artificial fertilizers and feeds, the quality of soil decreases gradually. What’s more alarming is that, crops harvested from these farms are exported to richer countries rather than the local people benefiting from this products.