Deforestation is a major issue in West Papua because it disturbs the life of the fauna and flora that live there. From the data that has been obtained, the losses are very large. Even local people also feel the consequences caused by this deforestation event.
The term deforestation describes a condition in which large numbers of trees are removed from the forest. The purpose of this tree being removed is to be able to carry out human activities. Only for the benefit of certain groups without thinking about the environment.
Forests are home to many species of living things and the lack of even a few qualities can have an impact that was never imagined before. In the forest, it is the source for all humans to get oxygen, food, clean water, and also medicine.
Raw materials are needed to support the life of every living thing, so we must always take care of them. But in fact, deforestation activities are increasingly being carried out. You may not feel it right now, but this massive deforestation will have dire consequences.
Data of Deforestation in West Papua
As we mentioned earlier, deforestation has become more frequent in recent years. The Papua region previously had a very large and dense tropical forest area. But now, one by one the scenery has changed into something else.
From world data, forests cover 31% of the total land area on earth and are habitats for many types of living things. Many land-based animals live there, but we have lost about 1 billion acres of forest due to deforestation since 2000.
Even in one area alone can lose about 10 million acres per year due to mining and others. The global calculation of deforestation is that every minute, the world loses 1.32 acres of forest area, but fortunately, West Papua is less.
This deforestation occurs due to many factors. Starting from taking areas for agriculture, some aim to take the wood or logging, to mining activities that require larger construction areas and take forest areas.
Consequences of Deforestation to West Papua Biodiversity
Loss of forest area in Papua has resulted in biodiversity loss for animals and plants. Therefore, every human being has a role to keep the forest area-wide with all the natural resources in it being put to good use.
If only concerned with personal interests, then biodiversity will be threatened. As already said, maybe you don’t feel it right away. But, in the future, perhaps this incident will manifest itself there:
- Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is the opening discussion about the consequences of too massive deforestation. Erosion is an event of loss of soil adhesion. And if not taken seriously, this problem can lead to flooding and kill animals and plants.
- The Loss of Certain Species
Deforestation in West Papua will also result in the loss of certain animal or plant species. The cycle and the food cycle are fixed, so less one in the feeding cycle can result in the loss of other species.
- Sustainability
If you are still carrying out deforestation activities now, then the sustainability of the world will fall. For example, the problem of global warming will increasingly show its dangerous effects, climate change, and pollution.
- Exposing Soil to Heat and Rain
Soil exposed to too much water and the sunlight is never good. In fact, it can be a disaster. Therefore, if the land in West Papua is without forest as a protector, then landslides will occur.
- Health
Most of the oxygen is produced by the forest, but if the forest is slowly being eroded, the presence of oxygen is also depleting. If this continues, then animals and plants that require high oxygen levels will experience a decline in health.
Does it Affect West Papua Citizens?
Besides the fact that humans are the ones carrying out this deforestation, humans will also get the bad effects from carrying out these activities. It is very fortunate to be able to live in an area where the surroundings have a soothing view.
But if there is deforestation, this will be very detrimental. Like the people in Papua, indeed they spend a lot of forest area for their personal interests. But now, one by one the effects have emerged to create new minds from the local community.
In terms of economics, perhaps selling the products of deforestation would be profitable. But in the future, the economic aspect will be lacking if the quality of the forest is neglected. For example, natural disasters will result in the loss of homes and other assets.
Not to mention the human health problems that will be increasingly difficult to cure our disease without nature. Deforestation is only an activity for personal benefit. In fact, the spread of the bat virus to pigs is also due to the problem of deforestation.
The nature of Papua needs more serious attention due to the problem of deforestation. Forests that were previously the habitat of living things have now become land for the benefit of certain groups. Before it is too late, we must save the biodiversity of West Papua.
