Protecting the World's Tropical Forests

The United Nations Environmental Program claims that each year, Tropical Forests are dissappearing at a rate of 4.6 million hectares a year in worldwide regins such as Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. Although Tropical Forests around the world are being demolished at an increasing rate, organizations such as WWF (World Wildlife Fund) are putting together initiatives and projects to halt the loss of forest and freshwater biodiversity by 2020.

In Africa places like Congo Basin, one-quarter of the world's tropical forests, are being protecting by WWF Vision by strengthening the network of protected areas and building sustentation partnerships with governments and local people, allowing the sound use of natural resources and sustainable development. Within this organization's projects and intitiatives the forests, rivers, savanna, swamps, and flooded forests that are brimming with life are protected. You may ask "What's so special about the protection of these forests?" Well it just so be that these forests regulate local climate and the flow of water, enhance and protect soil, keep diseases under control, and safeguard water quality. On top of all this it always make up one of the most important wilderness areas that are left on earth.

A large variety of wildlife is found within the forests of the Congo Basin. Species such as Bonobos (Monkeys), Hippos, Okapis (Forest Giraffes), Leatherback Turtles, etc. Many endangered species like Mountain and Western lowland Gorillas and Forest Elephants are being protected by the WWF from illegal trade to exotic buyers and collectors.

Not only does the WWF projects in Congo Basin help to benefit the forests and it's wildlife inhabitants, it also provides food, fresh water, medicine, and shelter to over 75 million people. Humans have inhabited the Congo Basin for 50,000 years by the Ba'Aka people, with the help of the WWF they have not only protected the Congo Basin, but the physical, spiritual, and cultural are intertwine with the forest. The WWF has done a lot to protect and preserve the forest and continues to do so.

Reference 1
Reference 2

Reference 3

Reference 4


Blogs I Commented On:
Shaun O.
Mark Y.