NATURAL RESOURCES JEROME A. LUGTU BS PSYCHOLOGY MARTINEZ MEMORIAL COLLEGES DEFORESTATION • FOREST ARE EXPLOITED SINCE EARLY TIMES FOR HUMANS TO MEET HUMAN DEMAND • THE PERMANENT DESTRUCTION OF FOREST IS CALLED DEFORESTATION CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION • POPULATION EXPLOSION: POPULATION EXPLOSION IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, VAST AREA OF FORESTS ARE CLEARED FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENT • SHIFTING CULTIVATION: IT IS A TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM WIDELY PRACTICED IN NORTH EASTERN REGION OF COUNTRY IN WHICH FELLING AND BURNING OF FORESTS FOLLOWED BY CULTIVATION OF CROP FOR FEW YEARS AND ABANDON OF CULTIVATION ALLOW FORESTS FOR RE-GROWTH CAUSE EXTREME DAMAGE TO FOREST. • GROWING FOOD DEMAND: TO MEET THE FOOD DEMAND OF RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION MORE AND MORE FORESTS ARE CLEARED OFF FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSE. • FIRE WOOD: INCREASING DEMAND OF WOOD FOR FUEL INCREASES PRESSURE ON FORESTS. • RAW MATERIAL FOR WOOD BASED INDUSTRY: INCREASING DEMAND OF WOOD FOR MAKING FURNITURE, PLYWOOD, MATCH BOX ETC RESULTS INTO TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON FORESTS. • INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: MASSIVE DESTRUCTION OF FOREST OCCURS FOR VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT LIKE, BIG DAMS, HIGHWAYS PROJECTS ETC. • FOREST FIRES: FOREST FIRES MAY BE NATURAL OR MAN MADE CAUSE A HUGE LOSS OF FOREST • OVER GRAZING: OVERGRAZING OF LAND BY CATTLE RESULT INTO SOIL EROSION, DESERTIFICATION. • NATURAL FORCES: FLOODS, STORMS, HEAVY WINDS, SNOW, LIGHTENING ARE SOME OF THE NATURAL FORCES EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION • DEFORESTATION ADVERSELY AFFECTS AND DAMAGES THE ENVIRONMENT • THE ADVERSE EFFECT OF DEFORESTATION ARE DISCUSSED BELOW: • SOIL EROSION: THE SOIL GETS WASHED AWAY WITH RAIN WATER ON SLOPPY AREAS IN THE ABSENCE OF TREES LEADING TO SOIL EROSION. • EXPANSION OF DESERTS: DUE TO STRONG WINDS LADEN BY ROCK DUST, LAND MASS GRADUALLY GETS CONVERTED IN ATMOSPHERE. • DECREASE IN RAINFALL : IN THE ABSENCE OF FOREST, RAINFALL DECLINES CONSIDERABLY BECAUSE FOREST BRING RAINS DUE TO HIGH RATE OF TRANSPIRATION. IT MAINTAINS HUMIDITY IN ATMOSPHERE • LOSS OF FERTILE LAND: LESS RAINFALL RESULTS INTO LOSS OF FERTILE LAND OWING TO LESS NATURAL VEGETATION GROWTH. • EFFECT ON CLIMATE: DEFORESTATION INDUCES GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. CLIMATE BECOMES WARMER DUE TO LACK OF HUMIDITY IN DEFORESTED AREAS, ALSO PATTERN OF RAINFALL CHANGES • LOWERING OF WATER TABLE: LACK OF RECHARGING OF UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR, RESULTS INTO LOWERING OF WATER TABLE • ECONOMIC LOSSES: DEFORESTATION WILL CAUSE LOSS OF INDUSTRIAL TIMBER AND NON TIMBER PRODUCTS • LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY: LOSS OF FLORA AND FAUNA RESULT INTO LOSS OF BIO-DIVERSITY LEADING TO DISTURBANCE IN ECOLOGICAL BALANCE WORLD WIDE. • ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES: IT WILL LEAD TO INCREASE IN CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION AND OTHER POLLUTANTS WHICH RESULTS IN GLOBAL WARMING. EFFECTS OF TIMBER EXTRACTION POOR LOGGING RESULTS IN DEGRADED FORESTS. SOIL EROSION, ESPECIALLY ON SLOPES. SEDIMENTATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. LOSS BIODIVERSITY. CLIMATIC CHANGES, SUCH AS LOWER PRECIPITATION. NEW LOGGING ROADS PERMIT SHIFTING CULTIVATORS AND FUEL WOOD GATHERERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO LOGGED AREAS. LOSS OF NON-TIMBER PRODUCTS MINING • MINING IS THE EXTRACTION OF VALUABLE MINERALS OR OTHER GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS FROM THE EARTH, FROM AN ORE BODY, VEIN OR (COAL) SEAM. • THE TERM ALSO INCLUDES THE REMOVAL OF SOIL. • MINING IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN ANY MATERIAL THAT CANNOT BE GROWN THROUGH AGRICULTURAL PROCESSES, OR CREATED ARTIFICIALLY IN A LABORATORY OR FACTORY. • MINING IN A WIDER SENSE COMPRISES EXTRACTION OF ANY NONRENEWABLE SOURCE (E.G., PETROLEUM, NATURAL GAS, OR EVEN WATER). • MODERN MINING PROCESSES INVOLVE PROSPECTING FOR ORE BODIES, ANALYSIS OF THE PROFIT POTENTIAL OF A PROPOSED MINE, EXTRACTION OF THE DESIRED MATERIALS AND FINALLY RECLAMATION OF THE LAND TO PREPARE IT FOR OTHER USES ONCE THE MINE IS CLOSED. IS MINING LEGAL IN THE PHILIPPINES? YES! PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995 REPUBLIC ACT 7942 • THIS PARTICULAR ACT WAS MAINLY INSTITUTED TO “GOVERN THE EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION AND PROCESSING OF ALL MINERAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OF THE PHILIPPINES.” • THIS ACT ALSO SAFEGUARDS AND PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT. • CHAPTER XI, SECTION 63, OF REPUBLIC ACT 7942, STATES THAT “ALL CONTRACTORS AND PERMITEES SHALL STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL THE MINES SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS AS MAY BE PROMULGATED BY THE SECRETARY CONCERNING THE SAFE AND SANITARY UPKEEP OF THE MINING OPERATIONS AND ACHIEVE WASTE-FREE AND EFFICIENT MINE DEVELOPMENT…” • CHAPTER XI, SECTION 70, (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) OF REPUBLIC ACT 7942, STATES THAT “…AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE SHALL BE REQUIRED BASED ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND PROCEDURES UNDER THE PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM INCLUDING SECTIONS 26 AND 27 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 WHICH REQUIRE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN ECOLOGICAL BALANCE, AND PRIOR CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL AND PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER CONCERNED SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY: PROVIDED, THAT A COMPLETED ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE PROPOSED MINING AREA SHALL ALSO CONSTITUTE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT.” POSITIVE EFFECTS OF MINING? • MINING CAN BENEFIT SOCIETY BECAUSE: IT BRINGS JOBS TO A COMMUNITY THESE JOBS BRING MONEY TO THE COMMUNITY NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MINING TO THE PEOPLE? • MINING IS DESTRUCTIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AS TREES AND VEGETATION ARE CLEARED AND BURNED FOR MINING. • THE MINING PITS DUG DURING LAND DREDGING MINING REMAIN AS STAGNANT WATER POOLS SERVING AS BREEDING GROUND FOR MOSQUITOES AND OTHER WATER-BORN INSECTS. • CHEMICALS USED DURING MINING PROCESS CAUSES POLLUTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT, ANIMALS, AND PEOPLE • THE TOXIC WASTE FROM MINE TAILINGS FLOW INTO EITHER AN ABANDONED MINING PIT OR ADJACENT FOREST IN THE CASE OF LAND DREDGING AND POLLUTE THE RIVER IN THE CASE OF RIVER DREDGING. • PEOPLE LIVING NEAR MINING AREAS OR MINING VILLAGES ARE VERY MUCH DISTURBED AND AFFECTED BY THE IMPACT OF MINING. • THE MINING OPERATORS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAY ALSO FACE PROBLEMS. THE MINERS ALSO HAVE LIFE RISKS WHEN THEY ARE WORKING IN THE MINE. HOW DOES MINING AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT? EFFECTS ON LAND • DEFORESTATION • LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY • POLLUTION EFFECTS ON WATER • POLLUTION • LOSS OF AQUATIC LIFE MORE NEGATIVE EFFECTS! • LAND GRABBING, • COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT, • HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS , • ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.. IN 1,042,531 HECTARES COVERED BY 785 MINING TENEMENTS. SPECIFIC CASE IN POINT: EXCESSIVE MINING IN PALAWAN THE FACTS OF THE CASE: - THE RIO TUBA NICKEL MINING CORPORATION (RTNMC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY 1970S PROPPED UP BY A STRONG INTERNATIONAL DEMAND FOR NICKEL AND OPERATING IN AN AREA ENDOWED WITH RICH ORE DEPOSITS. -THEY ESTABLISHED A HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESSING PLANT IN SOUTHERN PALAWAN SPECIFIC CASE IN POINT: EXCESSIVE MINING IN PALAWAN • THE COMPANY HAS TO CONFORM TO POLICIES THAT GOVERN NOT JUST ITS MINING OPERATIONS BUT ALSO OTHER POLICIES WHICH CONCERN THE RIGHTS OF AND THE LOCAL POPULATION IN GENERAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS THAT SEEK TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY. MORE NEGATIVE EFFECTS! • THE POPULATION INCREASE RESULTED IN THE PROLIFERATION OF NIGHTCLUBS, WHICH EVENTUALLY GAVE RISE TO PROSTITUTION. • IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, THE FOLLOWING WERE IDENTIFIED: • DEFORESTATION AND LOSS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT; • DECREASE IN QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF WATER SUPPLY; • ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND DECREASE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; • EROSION AND FLASH FLOODS; • THREATS TO COASTAL RESOURCES BROUGHT BY EROSION AND EFFLUENTS; • WATER AND AIR POLLUTION; AND, • HEALTH IMPACTS SUCH AS SKIN LESIONS. TIMBER EXTRACTION, MINING, DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FOREST AND TRIBAL PEOPLE • TIMBER EXTRACTION, MINING AND DAMS ARE INVARIABLY PARTS OF THE NEEDS OF A DEVELOPING COUNTRY. IF TIMBER IS OVERHARVESTED THE ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE FOREST ARE LOST. UNFORTUNATELY FORESTS ARE LOCATED IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE RICH MINERAL RESOURCES. FORESTS ALSO COVER THE STEEP EMBANKMENTS OF RIVER VALLEYS, WHICH ARE IDEALLY SUITED TO DEVELOP HYDEL AND IRRIGATION PROJECTS. THUS THERE IS A CONSTANT CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BETWEEN THE CONSERVATION INTERESTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS AND THE MINING AND IRRIGATION DEPARTMENTS. • WHAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD IS THAT LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL GAINS CANNOT BE SACRIFICED FOR SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC GAINS THAT UNFORTUNATELY LEAD TO DEFORESTATION. THESE FORESTS WHERE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ARE PLANNED, CAN DISPLACE THOUSANDS OF TRIBAL PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR HOMES WHEN THESE PLANS ARE EXECUTED. THIS LEADS TO HIGH LEVELS OF SUFFERING FOR WHICH THERE IS RARELY A SATISFACTORY ANSWER. DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FOREST AND TRIBAL PEOPLE • WHEN A DAM IS CONSTRUCTED ACROSS ANY RIVER A HUGE ARTIFICIAL LAKE IS DEVELOPED IN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF THAT DAM. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS BACK WATERS. THE BACKWATERS COVERING A LARGE SURFACE AREA. : • IT CREATES THE LOSS OF FOREST. • IT CREATES DANGER TO THE HABITAT OF THE WILD LIFE. • CROPS GET SUBMERGED UNDER WATER. • THE ROADS, ALREADY IN EXISTENCE ARE PUT UNDER WATER AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION OF DAM. SO THE ROAD NETWORK IS DAMAGED. DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FOREST AND TRIBAL PEOPLE TODAY THERE ARE MORE THAN 45,000 LARGE DAMS AROUND THE WORLD, WHICH PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES THAT HARNESS THESE WATER RESOURCES FOR THEIR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. CURRENT ESTIMATES SUGGEST SOME 30-40% OF IRRIGATED LAND WORLDWIDE RELIES ON DAMS. HYDROPOWER, ANOTHER CONTENDER FOR THE USE OF STORED WATER, CURRENTLY SUPPLIES 19% OF THE WORLD’S TOTAL ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND IS USED IN OVER 150 COUNTRIES. THE WORLD’S TWO MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES – CHINA AND INDIA – HAVE BUILT AROUND 57% OF THE WORLD’S LARGE DAMS. DAMS PROBLEMS: • FRAGMENTATION AND PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION OF RIVERS. • SERIOUS IMPACTS ON RIVERINE ECOSYSTEMS. • SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF LARGE DAMS DUE TO DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE. • WATER LOGGING AND SALINISATION OF SURROUNDING LANDS. • DISLODGING ANIMAL POPULATIONS, DAMAGING THEIR HABITAT AND CUTTING OFF THEIR MIGRATION ROUTES. • FISHING AND TRAVEL BY BOAT DISRUPTED. • THE EMISSION OF GREEN HOUSE GASES FROM RESERVOIRS DUE TO ROTTING VEGETATION AND CARBON INFLOWS FROM THE CATCHMENT IS A RECENTLY IDENTIFIED IMPACT. DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FOREST AND TRIBAL PEOPLE LARGE DAMS HAVE HAD SERIOUS IMPACTS ON THE LIVES, LIVELIHOODS, CULTURES AND SPIRITUAL EXISTENCE OF INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES. THEY HAVE SUFFERED DISPROPORTIONATELY FROM THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF DAMS AND OFTEN BEEN EXCLUDED FROM SHARING THE BENEFITS. IN INDIA, OF THE 16 TO 18 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED BY DAMS, 40 TO 50% WERE TRIBAL PEOPLE, WHO ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 8% OF OUR NATION’S ONE BILLION PEOPLE. CONFLICTS OVER DAMS HAVE HEIGHTENED IN THE LAST TWO DECADES BECAUSE OF THEIR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND FAILURE TO ACHIEVE TARGETS FOR STICKING TO THEIR COSTS AS WELL AS ACHIEVING PROMISED BENEFITS.
