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WWF
activity on rain forest logging
Rain
forest. Click here
to download a large printable version.
Purpose
To understand that maintaining biodiversity in the
rain forest is important for people, indigenous wildlife
and migrants such as the swallow.
Curriculum links
Geography/English
Products of the rain forest. Click here
to download a large printable version.
You will need:
Rain forest photos (above).
Role playing activity
sheet
Procedure
- Discuss the products of the rain forest photo.
What are they doing? What are they going to do with
the timber? Who buys the timber? Who will benefit?
- An environmentalist who is particularly concerned
about the disappearance fo the rain forest, attends
a public meeting called by the government of Ghana
to discuss a proposed new logging operation.
- Allocate roles in the debate and give the children
time to develop their arguments. After the role-play
ask them how they felt in their role. Who held the
power in the debate and why? Who would benefit from
the new logging operation? Who owns the rain forest?
Did you know?
- 45% of the original forest cover in Africa has
been lost – four million hectares are destroyed
each year.
- the two main causes of deforestation are shifting
cultivation and commercial logging.
- trees in tropical rain forests can grow as high
as 60 metres (200 feet).
- commercial loggers damage 4.5 million hectares
of the world’s rain forest each year.
- global trade in timber is worth more than £5 billion.
Forest
management schemes are being set up round the world
which allow logging to take place, but within strict
guidelines.
Issue
How
the rain forest can be managed sustainably and who
takes the profits from its products.
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