RE: A Different Perspective

From: Phil Bunch pbunch at cts.com> on 2001.07.28 at 03:16:04(7171) I think we need to keep the purpose of CITES in mind. It is only meant to regulate the international trade in some species, it is not a blanket conservation measure. It is true that habitat destruction is the major known cause of endangerment and probably extirpation. This however is not amenable control through treaties. CITES represents an effort to control one small part of a much greater problem. As collectors I think we have a responsibility to do our part, small though it may be. Phil Bunch On Friday, July 27, 2001 11:57, Regferns@aol.com [SMTP:Regferns@aol.com] +More wrote: > We are indeed immersed in a difficult subject. I would like to be on the side > that says "the law is the law." But, being who I am I also realize that at > one time "laws" were created to prevent me from drinking out of the same > water-fountains as those from a different race. Laws also prevented me from > voting, laws also prevented my grandparents from obtaining an education. I > like to think of myself as one who recognizes the need for rules and order, > but I am also a person who is not blind, my eyes are wide open.That said, > this is what I have seen. > > The CITES agreement is haphazard at best. Those of you who have never > stepped foot in a jungle nor visited a foreign country to witness for > yourselves what is happening to not only the rainforest, but forests or even > woodlands, are living in a dreamworld, if you think that the creators of > CITES know best. > > As Betsy mentioned, just listening to the chainsaws in the distance is > chilling. Seeing huge numbers of barges floating down the Rajang River in > Sarawak (Borneo) is mesmerizing, flying over Peninsular Malaysia and looking > at the thousands, upon thousands of newly planted acres of oil palm groves is > enough to bring a tear to your eye. And if you really want to drop to your > knees and weep, go through an area where the legal loggers (from other > countries who have paid HANDSOMELY) are working. Notice how they take down a > century old dipterocarp. Notice how many epiphytes: orchids (CITES appendix > 1), aroids, ferns are stripped from the trees and are allowed to bake in the > sun and ultimately die. Then it dawns on you that once these magnificent > trees are gone, the understory quickly vanishes because of lack of > protection. Once the understory vanishes, the fauna that depended on the > understory now vanishes. > > My point: the CITES agreement does not really work. Many of these countries > require hard cash to operate--and logging is a wonderful source. There are > those of you who talk about working to change the laws--how noble. I have > always hated this saying, but the older I get the more I truly recognize the > meaning: "Money Talks..." you know the rest. > > This CITES situation really needs to be addressed, but because there are so > many different agendas at play, ultimately the flora and fauna will lose. > And there will be no plants or animals to save--even with the best > intentions. The jungles are disappearing at an alarming rate. And it is not > due to collectors. 85% of the state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo is now > destroyed because of logging. And even though Sarawak has signed a > biodiversity agreement forbidding plants and animals to leave the area, the > loggers still have free reign. Just a view from one of the places I visit. > > Reggie Whitehead > South Miami, Florida > << File: ATT00000.html >>

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