Deforestation
Picture credit: B.A. Morgono et al
The deforestation in Indonesia has had a significant on the nation’s ecology. In the beginning of the 20th century, it was estimated that forest made up 84% of land mass of Indonesia. However, by the end of the same century, the forest cover dropped by 50%.
Primary forest in Sumatra island in order to grow palm trees. This led to the destruction of the natural habitats of tigers, their preys and other endangered species. Companies and farmers clear the forest to make space for gold mining, and cutting down trees for selling of woods to other countries as well. Unfortunately, trees in Sumatra are removed faster than they grow, leading to deforestation. Areas of forest are also being cut down to make room for new habitation.
Most logging taking place in Sumatra is believed to be illegal. It is being performed by using a method known as ‘slash and burn’. This practice involves cutting down trees and subsequently using fire to clear the land. However, these fires are more than often uncontrollable, leading to burning of more trees. Natural habitats for Sumatran tigers and other species in the same community, are thus lost due to clearing of forest and uncontrollable fire.
Carbon dioxide are also released as by-product from the burning of forest. Fewer trees available also allowed lesser oxygen to be produced. These had resulted in Indonesia becoming the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
Picture credit: B.A. Margono et al
Thirty years ago, the island of Sumatra was the third largest island in the world. It was full of tigers, elephants, rhino, orangutan and other endangered or extinct species. However, development trashed them in a single generation of global agribusiness and industries.