Threats malaysian trf
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Threats to Malaysian TRF Logging !980s Borneo was world’s largest exporter of tropical wood. Clear felling was used leading to total destruction of the forests. Recently selective logging. Less damaging in terms of numbers it reduces biodiversity and needs large machinery and roads. Malaysia has a protection policy but illegal logging still takes places. Particularly in unsafe areas, leading to soil erosion. Indigenous tribes, the Orang Asli have also been displaced and when they protest some have been arrested (Penan Community 2003) Energy The 2009 $2bn HEP Bakun Dam in Sarawak will flood 1000s of hectares of forest. An estimated 230km2 of primary forest has been cut down. 9000 Kenyah people forced to leave. Poor, cannot pay for new homes, depression and alcoholism are common. Mining TRF has been cleared for widespread tin mining and smelting plants; including mining operations and roads. Mining itself pollutes the land and rivers Drilling for oil & gas started in Borneo. Rubber & Palm oil Plantations Widespread Rubber plantations = large areas cleared. As rubber demand declined plantations have been abandoned. Malaysia is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil. During the 1970s owners received a 10yr tax break to convert forest to palm oil., increasing the land cleared. Deforestation is widespread and threatens the survival of the orang utans Resettlement To relieve overcrowding cities people were encouraged to move to rural areas. Between 1956 & 1980 an estimated 15000ha of TRF was cleared. Fires Common in Borneo, some natural; lightning storms, Slash & burn farming can lead to uncontrolled wildfires.
Transcript of Threats malaysian trf
Threats to Malaysian TRF
Logging
!980s Borneo was world’s largest exporter of tropical
wood.Clear felling was used leading
to total destruction of the forests.
Recently selective logging. Less damaging in terms of numbers it reduces biodiversity and needs
large machinery and roads.
Malaysia has a protection policy but illegal logging still takes places.
Particularly in unsafe areas, leading to soil erosion.
Indigenous tribes, the Orang Asli have also been displaced and when they protest some have been arrested (Penan
Community 2003)
Energy
The 2009 $2bn HEP Bakun Dam in Sarawak will flood
1000s of hectares of forest.
An estimated 230km2 of primary forest has been cut
down.
9000 Kenyah people forced to leave.
Poor, cannot pay for new homes,
depression and alcoholism are
common.
Mining
TRF has been cleared for widespread tin mining and smelting plants; including
mining operations and roads.
Mining itself pollutes the land
and rivers
Drilling for oil & gas started
in Borneo.
Rubber & Palm oil Plantations
Widespread Rubber plantations = large areas cleared. As rubber
demand declined plantations have been abandoned.
Malaysia is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil.
During the 1970s owners received a 10yr tax break to convert forest to palm oil., increasing the land cleared.
Deforestation is widespread and
threatens the survival of the orang utans
Resettlement
To relieve overcrowding cities people were
encouraged to move to rural areas.
Between 1956 & 1980 an estimated 15000ha
of TRF was cleared.
Fires
Common in Borneo, some natural;
lightning storms,
Slash & burn farming can lead to uncontrolled
wildfires.
