Amazon Gone!!

IIPM PUBLICATION

Ever thought of world temperatures rising 6-7 degrees! Well, it almost seems imminent, given the Amazons continuous depletion at the current rate. Encompassing 9 nations and accounting for more than half of earth’s remaining rainforests, situated in South America, the Amazons have a big say in the ecosystem of the entire planet, providing 1/5th of the world’s oxygen supply. Shockingly, it has been observed that between 1991 and 2000, an area twice the size of Portugal was cleared in the Amazon. In 2003 and 2004 alone, an area the size of Wales was cut down, all so that soy plantations can come up. Why soy? Soy exports to Uncle Sam’s country for manufacturers of ice cream, margarines, mayonnaise, and lipsticks bring in much revered US dollars. A classic case of ‘feeding the economy’ versus ‘conserving natural habitat’, the winner gets to decide our future!

The jungles of the Amazon, on the other hand are governed by laws of its own. Criminal factions doubling as land grabbers coupled with government corruption and backed by large corporations (mostly American), see a great potential in bringing down forests and using the land thus obtained, to serve their purposes. Those reporting abuse of the forest to government agencies oft en face violent harassment for taking on the land mafia, backed by the large corporations.

The forest is a giver. Besides providing us with vital elements necessary for life, it provided shelter to millions who do not speak like us and are clueless of happenings outside the mighty greens. Save the forests, save lives.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative