Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state, even if these areas could be developed for economic gain.

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position

Ever since the dawn of time, human beings are known by their ability to adapt and tame nature around them to their needs. Any developing nation needs to focus on their economy to provide higher standards of living to its citizen. But the question remains at what cost?

Countless examples can be drawn where companies with deep pockets have tried to exploit the last vestiges of forests to serve their greed.

The state of Uttarakhand has enormous prospects in terms of hydroelectric projects and forestry. In the 1970s, foreign companies were granted exclusive logging permits without the consultation of Chamoli locals and environmentalists. With very few tree left, there was a huge problem of flooding and avalanche. This gave rise to the Chipko movement, where women encircled and guarded the trees from being cut.

"Ecology is the permanent economy".
Sunderlal Bahuguna, leading member of the Chipko movement

Similar movements have been noticed in the Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Kerala where unchecked deforestation and dam construction has caused severe soil erosion. In Palakkad district of Kerala, to cope with increasing power demands, dam construction was started in a very ecologically fragile area by the Kuntipuzha river. Not only the terrain was not suitable enough to collect large amounts of water, but also the very existence of the lion-tailed macaqaue, an endangered species was threatened.

There are myriad benefits of forests. They act as crucibles of bio-diversity, which keeps unwanted growth of any one invasive species at check. It is estimated that the Amazon forests produce 10% of the world's oxygen while being a sink of air pollutants.

Most of the countries have set laws to protect Mother nature but the execution of these haven't been that promising. Conglomerates are controlling the economy of developing countries exploiting legal loopholes and systematic corruption.

Seminars and workshops should be held regularly to spread awareness among general public who will hold the government and companies to be accountable. The concerns of forest dwellers and locals should be addressed as they are directly affected by any changes. Media should play a better role at promoting best practices to tackle environmental issues.

We as normal citizens should try to control our mindless consumption and make more strides towards sustainable development. Cross disciplinary research and development should be done to achieve innvovative solutions in the fields of synthetic products, genetics, and environmental studies.

There are enough facts to conclude that forests are necessary for our own survival. Nations should introduce and implement very stringent laws to protect wilderness. For short term economic gain, we cannot afford to leave our future generations a less hospitable Earth to live in.