Environmental Regulation of Logging |
October 3, 1995
Q: What are the practices or approaches which should be followed by the timber industry so as to maintain the health of forest ecosystems?
The logging industry should not become involved in the lumbering of trees which are in danger of becoming extinct, nor should there be the cutting of rare forests. The forests must be respected, for the forests shelter so many creatures. They must be honored for they are the homeland and shelter of many living beings. So the timber industry must take this into account in their projects and programs and develop ecological procedures for their logging practices. They should not log rare forest trees, rare forests. They should take into account ecosystems, watersheds, and water supplies so that environments are not devastated by their practices. The health of the planet depends on the forests. If the forests die, many tragedies will occur. These trees are vital to human beings. Human beings live in a kind of symbiotic relationship with the forests. Our welfare is not separate from the welfare of the trees. So you see, it is very important that the trees be respected and given scope for their development, that the forests be maintained and the ancient trees be preserved, for the trees are the shelter of many living beings including human beings. Forest industries must be regulated so that, out of greed, they do not destroy that which is irreplaceable or that which will devastate whole populations of animals or will destroy the land itself because the forests are cut. Greed must be regulated in this industry, and this industry should not be self-regulated. It should be highly supervised by those who stand to make no profit from its endeavors so that an objective view is maintained and the ecological considerations are fully taken into account. The practices that the forest industry must adopt are compassion, detachment, care for the welfare of others, and support for the ecological balance of the environment in which they work. These are the values which must be adopted. Other than this, the industry may go on. But let them be regulated, highly regulated, by uninvolved parties who will gain nothing from the situation. |