Rainforest protection 'impeded by poverty'

The level of poverty suffered by many people who live in Liberia is a hindrance to any rainforest protection measures put in place in the country, it has been claimed.

Liberia's poverty is hindering rainforest protection efforts

An AFP article details the life of Liberian Marita Worjiloh, who relies on cutting down the country's rainforest in order to earn money. She is currently six months pregnant and already has two children.

"If I had something to do to make money I won't cut the forest down, because I know it is important. Without a forest we would not live a good life," she said.

According to the source, as well as rainforest clearing, using forest land for farming and hunting wildlife in tropical areas for meat to eat are also common in Liberia.

Some 70 per cent of Liberian people are involved in "slash and burn farming", the acting executive director of Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency Johansen Voker told the source.

Rainforests are vital to the eco balance of the planet as they absorb CO2 from the earth's atmosphere - which is released should trees be cut down.

Written by Kimberley Homer. ADNFCR-2073-ID-19818178-ADNFCR