TROPICAL RAINFOREST HERITAGE OF SUMATRA

Dangers of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra



Dangers of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra

Introduction

The 2.5 million hectare tropical rainforest heritage of Sumatra is a beautiful mountainous area, situated in Indonesia and consists of three national parks. There are a number of forests in this landscape that hold many species including the endemic Sumatran orangutan (Whitten et al. 2000).

The protection of human and environment of the area from endangered species has become a critical issue. It has been observed that the there are four major threats for the rainforest heritage of Sumatra, which are agriculture and settlements, large animal poaching and construction of roads, encroachment of illegal logging, and minor threats that are mining and natural disasters (Hitchcock et al. 2006).

Discussion

The area of forests in Sumatra represents various examples of major changes in the history of Earth. The three parks are situated in the area, which was the outcome of the movement of the Indian Subcontinent towards the Asiatic Subcontinent since seventy million years ago. The three parks are named as GLNP (Gunung Leuser National Park), KSNP (Kerinci Sablat National Park), and BBSNP (Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park). Also, the most significant representative of the Sumatra's unique geological history is the richness of biodiversity in the area, including the mammals, and species (Schaik et al. 2000).

The Human Intrusion Threatening the Area

There are various human factors that have become an intrusion in the protection of the forest (Whitten et al. 2000).

Encroachment

The factors include the encroachment, which is considered as one of the most critical issues in the three parks. The violation is done for the purpose of converting these parks into agricultural areas. Recent violations are done in the areas of Simpur, Marpunge, Jumalada, Sei Kerapuh, and Sei Minyak. These violations are conducted by individuals and smaller groups in order to get these parks for agriculture (Campbell-Smith et al. 2010).

Illegal logging

The next issue is illegal logging in the area, which is a problem that is hard to deal with due to the lack of political will to enforce the law. People have made strong networks that involve many powerful men. People included in this crime are corrupt police and army officers, other government personnel, and these people are working with strong businessmen. They motivate everyone around the forest that cutting timber is an easy way to earn money (Hitchcock et al. 2006).

Mining

Another minor issue is of mining of oil and marble stones, and it needs to be solved.

Poaching

It is one of the most critical problems faced by the management of rainforest heritage in Sumatra. Poaching activities are still conducted in the park and place particular strain on the critically endangered Sumatran rhino and tigers. Other targeted animals are deer, pig, and birds (Campbell-Smith et al. 2010).

The Protections That Exist To Safeguard and Preserve the Area

Several steps are taken to protect the internal and international cooperation affecting ...