The first most important step that needs to be taken is for the government to change its policies. Improving employment opportunities would of course reduce the amount of migration of the rural poor to the Amazonian frontier.

The government should also put land into reserves so that at least some of the rainforest can be preserved. And it should also be closely monitored so that loggers and others don't illegally clear the forest.

This image provided and copyrighted by Raintree Nutrition, Inc.
All rights reserved. http://www.rain-tree.com

The best solution would be to stop clearing forests all together and use the forest commodities as a source of income. This would open the job market up, not have a harmful effect on the environment, and is a sustainable and viable solution.

There are many products that come from the rainforest including: nuts, fruits, oil-producing plants, and medicinal plants.

This image provided and copyrighted by Raintree Nutrition, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.rain-tree.com

Many experts agree that by leaving the rainforests intact and harvesting it's products, the rainforest has more economic value than if they were cut down to make grazing land for cattle or for timber.

"The latest statistics show that rainforest land converted to cattle operations yields the land owner $60 per acre and if timber is harvested, the land is worth $400 per acre. However, if these renewable and sustainable resources are harvested, the land will yield the land owner $2,400 per acre"(Rain-tree).

The issue with the deforestation of the Amazon River Region is complex issue of economics, politics, and the environment. Answers are not easy to give about this devastating problem that is effecting the global community and in time we will know the true value of the Amazon tropical forest.

This image provided and copyrighted by Raintree Nutrition, Inc.
All rights reserved. http://www.rain-tree.com

 

 

return to Deforestation Home