Environmental Issues in Malaysia

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Malaysia has been identified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of 12 mega diversity areas in the world, which means that these areas are very rich in plant and animal species; however, it is estimated that, because of environmental problems, by 2020, almost half of all mammals and a quarter of all birds in Malaysia will face extinction. The author points out that agriculture plays a very important role in the development of Malaysia; large-scale farming has caused thousands of acres of forestland to be ploughed up, destroying the habitat of wildlife. The paper relates that Malaysia entered the industrial age, but at the cost of the environment: (1) Industrial zones have been approved by the government to be set up in mostly forestland and uninhabited areas, (2) many rivers have become polluted by the wastes poured out into these rivers and (3) hotels and resorts are being built on the rivers destroying the forests, thus eroding the soil and polluting the water.

From the Paper:

"The dramatic losses of these species obscure equally large and important threats to genetic diversity as well. This could imperil agriculture too. Varieties of corn, wheat, rice, and other crops have rapidly squeezed out of land-races. Farmers and pastoralists bred and maintained a tremendous diversity of crop and livestock varieties. On-farm diversity is shrinking fast thanks to modern plant-breeding programs and the resulting productivity achieved by planting comparatively fewer varieties of crops that respond better to water, fertilizers, and pesticides. The loss of species stems from and invites the loss of cultural diversity."

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