This article discusses the current deforestation that is occurring in Madagascar. Due to an unstable government extremely valuable Rosewood trees are being cut down illegally. Many of these trees end up being exported to China. The past year these trees brought in expected values of $167 million dollars. It has been hard for the country to enforce the laws about chopping down these trees because of the corrupt government. The government also profits from the sell of these trees. Protecting these trees is extremely important because the forest where these trees exist are home to about 14,000 species of plants 90% of which exist no where else on the planet.
Deforestation is occurring in many countries of the world, mainly poorer developing nations. The rainforest's are extremely important and are an international issue because they are the biological hot spots. They hold a huge variety of plant and animal species and the majority of them and endemic to that area. These trees are also important because they help to absorb the millions of pounds of CO2 that are released every year. The article discusses how many of the people chopping down the trees and selling them are poor villagers. These villagers however are not the one profiting from the sell of the trees. The government plays a large role in the continuation of the exporting. However it is a large issue to tackle and control, I feel that Madagascar's government is not doing enough to stop the people in charge of the efforts.
Bearak, Barry. "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees." 24 May 2010: n. pag. Web. 28 May 2010.
It is totally unfair to Madagascar to have a poor government. It is the governments job to protect the environment, but they aren't because they want the money. Money may seem more imprtant than biodiverstiy, but at the end of the day biodiversity takes complete precedence. Something must be done to stop this crisis now. Madagascar is the fourth largest island, so a tree should be easy to find. The hunters have reported it to be a small challenge, therefore too many trees have been cut down already.
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