Rapid Deforestation is endangering both the wildlife and our health – an Open Speech
Every nation aims for a developed or advanced status. Only through development, the nation can progress and ensure the people enjoy high quality and standard of living. Deforestation clears the 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 for wildlife as their habitat is destroyed. Our indigenous and unique flora and fauna are also being threatened. Protected species such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and others are dying due to the destruction of their natural habitat. Many are forced to find new areas that 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, the preservation of forests is also good for us as trees provide fresh and healthy air. As the human population increases, so does pollution. Forests and jungles provide natural protection against pollution by providing uncontaminated air and trapping pollutants.
The government and non-governmental organizations must collaborate to protect the green lung. the presence of factories and an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads have resulted in an unhealthy atmosphere. In addition, Malaysia regularly suffers the haze problem due to forest fires from Kalimantan as well as open burning here. This combined with indiscriminate felling of trees has 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 wildlife if their habitat is being cleared for housing or industries. In fact, the government should reduce the number of licenses being issued to developers and timber logging companies. They are the main culprits threatening the existence of wildlife as well as our health. Fresh air provided by natural forests is important for human survival.
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