In Cambodia, which has rich forests, logging has become an increasing problem as Thai and Cambodian governments have created laws against logging, and the demand for logging as increased. As a result, poor farmers have resorted to illegally forming logging groups and risking their lives in order to earn a living. This is because a farmer could potentially earn as much money from two stumps of rosewood as they would an entire year of farming. This interests me because we can see how poverty and high demand can influence individuals, especially lower income farmers. I wonder if I would be willing to risk my life in this situation?
http://www.economist.com/node/21541871
Two stumps of wood for a years worth pay is very, very enticing. I agree that demand and poverty can make a big difference on restricted goods, like in this situation, logging. I wonder if the Cambodian government could find a way to control and privatize this sector and have it become a valuable resource for them and their economy. They may have even spiked the demand for this product because of their laws and restrictions but it may also, with control, could create a booming market of the future. ~ Chet Matsuura
ReplyDeletePerhaps if they had a better way of providing jobs the poor farmers wouldn't resort to illegally forming logging groups.
ReplyDeleteI worked for the Forest Service six years ago and a big part of my job was to assess forest lands to see if there were endangered species on the lot and clear it for logging. The biggest thing I was able to take out from that job was that logging, while properly regulated, can help forests flourish. The biggest problems come into play when there is either no regulation, which results in deforestation; or logging being prohibited, which under-uses renewable resources and leads to increased deadfall that fuels forest fires. The farmers should consider farming trees.
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