The Issue of Deforestation in Cuba - Research Paper Example

? Deforestation in Cuba The paper deal with the issue of deforestation in Cuba. Forests have been known as the most important natural resources, which are favorable for air and soil. There is no doubt that Cuban forests and biodiversity requires protection, political economic and social protection. Flourishing of Cuban society is possible under conditions of natural welfare. Key words: deforestation, forests, reforestation, forests. Introduction The importance of forests in the lives of humans cannot be denied. Forests are natural resources, absorbing dioxide, producing oxygen and extracting dust. There are many other functions of forests. Human activities in the modern global world are often harmful for the environment and it is hard to imagine where we will leave, if forests are further devastated. Nowadays people are cutting trees illegally. The most critical issue for the environmentalists starting from 2000 is the issue of deforestation. Moreover, there is no doubt that preservation of wildlife is current environmental problems in Cuba. This research paper is focused on the issue of deforestation in Cuba and possible ways of prevention of these harmful activities of people. Forests are the most valuable ecosystems on the planet. Forests are the sources of biological diversity, relevant to regulation of climate, and are very important for maintaining biosphere integrity. Forests produce very important economic goods and services, such as timber, energy, food, water, pharmaceuticals, and recreation opportunities (Wagner, 2006). Therefore, there is no option to promote deforestation, but it is relevant to sustain forests and support ecosystem. Otherwise, deforestation can lead to incurable consequences of destroying human activities. Deforestation can lead to one quarter of anthropogenic carbon emissions (Wagner, 2006). Cuba suffers from essential negative impact of deforestation. There is a need for the local government to implement forests protecting policies and decrease the levels of deforestation. Cuba is an island country located in the Caribbean 90 miles away from the Florida coast of the United States. This country has an interesting history. Cuba territory includes 110,860 km, and 23.0 percent forest covered. Deforestation in Cuba is considered to be economical, social and environmental problem of the country. Very often people are dealing with natural resources as endless ones. Starting from the last decade of XX century, deforestation was triggered by political and economic factors. Political power in Cuba initiated numerous programs of reforestation. The government has been focused on the importance on the issues of deforestation prevention. Politicians made an emphasis on the necessity of forest ecosystems management. During different periods of time, Cuba experienced three basic political periods and each era was marked by the effects of different agendas on forest ecosystems. Social and Economic Impacts of Deforestation Environmental reforms in Cuba are improving the forests cover in the country. Social development and development of forests in Cuba have been taken into account by the international community. These two issues should be considered in detail; while it is a well-known fact that flourishing of the modern Cuban society depends on natural and economic welfare. The United Nations calculated that Cuba belonged to the High Human Development Index starting from in 2006 (Where Cuba Leads, 2006). Social and forest development in the country have been often mentioned by the international community. There is no doubt that Cuba has many options of further development, but there is no doubt that prevention of deforestation is first and foremost important agendas for the country. There are many flora species in Cuba, such as Reistonea regia, the tall Cuban Royal Palm and many others. Cuba is well-known as a heart of biodiversity in the Caribbean region. Almost 50 percent of plants in Cuba are endemic. Ecosystem reserves in Cuba are acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Biosphere Reserves. A rich history of Cuban forests impresses the contemporaries and it is relevant to take appropriate measures to prevent further processes of deforestation. There is a lacking of the conifers in Cuba and these trees are of great value. There is a high value of these trees. Such values as economical, structural and aesthetical functions are evident. Cuban conifers are very important for the economy of the country. Moreover, conifers prevent soil from erosion. Pines can quickly grow after reforestation. There are special and unique species of junipers, podocaprus and other trees. Conifers in Cuba are not often taken into account as the type of forests, which should be treated with respect and a great attention. Policies of deforestation prevention Cuban government has been working at development of special laws focused on prevention of deforestation. There are the following laws: National Plan of Action (NAP) was updated in 1992; State Program for the Comprehensive Development of Mountain Areas was promoted in 1994; the leading agency to replace COMARNA was established, which is the Establishment of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment (CITMA); the Law of the Environment in Cuba was developed to meet the demands of Cuba’s environmental policy, functions and powers of the state agencies et cetera (Where Cuba Leads, 2006) . The Forestry Act was developed by the National Assembly and in accordance with it by 2015 territory of Cuba will be covered by forests for 27 percent. This percentage is impressive and there is no doubt, if these plans will come true, then Cuba will be well-known not only as a perfect resort, but also as ecologically favorable place for having rest. Human interactions in Cuba have damaged forests in the country to the greatest extent. On the one hand, it is evident that forest ecosystems satisfy the needs of human societies. Until 1959 deforestation in the country was the result of population growth. It is clear that a connection between deforestation and economic activities in Cuba is evident. This relation can be clarified in the following terms: “with a decline in deforestation rates among countries having higher incomes and, therefore having access to improved living conditions, a switch occurred to energy sources other than firewood” (Gallis & Millar, 2007). Currently, there is a need for environmental education, focused on social education about sustainable forestry practices, appropriate policy-making and implementation. Global effects of deforestation are currently considered as one of the most crucial concerns in the modern world. The international laws have being developed, but there is no common decision concerning reforestation. There are many interesting ideas of reforestation. This can be illustrated by the project “El Guardabosques” (The Forest Ranger), which is focused on environmental protection. El Guardabosques is a social program, focused on numerous subscribers. The readers of this project are able to respond if they see some changes or deforestation of trees. Cuba acclaimed a law in 1999, which concerned recreation of trees. Under conditions of these regulations: “tree cutting is only permitted for improvement purposes and to enhance” the area’s recreational and environmental health functions (Demarest, 2010). With respect to the Agriculture Ministry’s Forestry Planning Department, the smallest provinces in Cuba consisted of forests. Ecological awareness is one of the most important strategies for Cuban population. There is no doubt that Cubans are aware of ecological problems and environmental concerns. It can be said that citizens are strongly involved in prevention of deforestation in Cuba. There is a gradual transformation and improvements of Cuban laws focused on prevention of deforestation. Thus, starting from 1999 it was appropriate for Cuba to improve forests cutting only in the name of recreation or “for improvement purposes and to enhance” the area’s recreational and environmental health functions (Wagner, 2006). With respect to the Agriculture Ministry’s Forestry Planning Department, starting from 2006, less than 6% of territory in Havana consisted of wooded areas. Moreover, it has been often claimed that conservation and preservation of forests in Cuba has always been one of the most important issues for the Cuban nation. They clearly realize that their welfare, economic growth and social development depend on their ability to preserve natural resources. With respect to the fact that forests are one of the most important means of development in the country, the issues of conservation of biodiversity are the most important measures of ecological integrity. Technological development of the country goes hand-in-hand with perspective developments and innovations in the sphere of nature and forests, especially. REDD meetings are often focused on preservation of different types of forests. The domestic conditions and definitions of forests and the challenge of the modern forests preservation is often considered with respect to some national concerns and some special issues of nation. From different perspectives of REDD concerns, their national, industrial and economic priorities have been often taken into account and REDD credits have always been perceived as the options for forests’ preservation (Monzote, 2008). The issues of deforestation are often challenged by different environmental and social concerns. Very many natural states experience numerous challenges and problems. For example, the most recent developments of the international organizations can be summed up in the following way: “actions ... are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits" (Banda & Oppermann, 2011). These provisions are appropriate for the problem of Cuban forests deforestation. Biodiversity conservation is rather challenging and complex issue of the modernity. Therefore, the modern society is focused on biodiversity preservation and it should be noted that the modern concerns of the global society are focused on formation of environmentally optimal agreement (Banda & Oppermann, 2011). Species of pine forests in Cuba have experienced numerous challenges and complexities. In the result of modern challenging human practices, it was necessary to provide preservation practices for pine forests species.   The conservation strategies in the forests of Cuba were focused on preservation of more than 20% of forests. In spite of the fact that there are numerous and various strategies developed for preservation of forests, there are no effective and relevant strategies found by different organizations. Currently, true rain forests are occupied by cacao and coffee crops. There are many other challenges in these forests, such as consequences of mining, extraction of woods or other negative results of human activities. The Cuban Moist Forests experience numerous challenges too. Some areas of these forests are subjected to deforestation and it is really difficult to restore natural resources. Conclusion This paper is focused on different issues of deforestation in Cuba. It is evident that in order to solve this problem, it is relevant to focus on various aspects of forests in the country, processes of reforestation and improvement of biodiversity in Cuba. Political, economic and social concerns are triggering factors for further implementation of deforestation prevention policies. Thus, it can be said, that different epochs of Cuba have been marked by certain interesting approaches to forests and natural resources of the country. Nowadays, Cuba is on the stage of natural conservation and there are numerous attempts of natural resources preservation in the country. Appendix A Web Resource retrieved from http://www.scscb.org/programs/Program_resources/cebf-2008-caribbean-forest-maps.htm References Banda, M., & Oppermann, J. (2011). Building a Latin American Coalition on Forests: Negotiation Barriers and Opportunities. Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 44(3), 527+. Demarest, G. (2010). Cuba's Transition. Military Review, 81(3), 55+. Gallis, M., Moll, G., & Millar, H. (2007, Autumn). Assessing Humans & Nature: 5 Impacts. American Forests, 113, 34+. Gelburd, G. (2009). Cuba and the Art of "trading with the Enemy". Art Journal, 68(1), 24+. Hornborg, A., McNeill, J.R., & Martinez-Alier, J.(2007). Rethinking Environmental History: World-System History and Global Environmental Change. United Kingdon: Altamira Press. Monzote, R.F. (2008). From Rainforest to Cane Field in Cuba: An Environmental History since 1492.Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. Wagner, C. G. (2006, March/April). Saving the Tropics' Dry Forests: As Developers Move in, Mahogany Trees and Other Species May Be Lost. The Futurist, 40, 9. Where Cuba Leads. (2006, July 4). Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), p. 6. Read More