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SUSTANAIBLE FORESTRY

Gilford Pinchot, the first American professional forester, advocated the use of forest resources not just for timbers but human benefits. He was a strong and charismatic leader, his ideas helped to shape the course of forestry in the United States. Later Pinchot had a vocal opponent, John Muir a young naturalist from California, who believes that public lands should be preserved rather than used. Eventually Muir and Pinchot became rivals for public approval, but oddly enough, there was no loser in this early conservation battle. Muir’s conservation ethic becomes embodied in the philosophy of the national parks and Pinchot’s concept of wise use became the guiding principle of the United States forests. Some tropical rainforest reserves can be educated for extractive purposes, to the production of useful products such as fruits and nuts gathering, as well as other renewable resources on the sustainable basis; such reserve have been established in Brazil and is adding value to the lively hood of the local communities while still maintaining the ecological integrity of the forests. In recent years, increased emphasis has been put on what some are calling ‘’ecosystems managements’’. In this model the long-term health and stability of the forests, especially the tropical rainforests, are paramount thus, timber production is considered to be a bye product of good forest management rather than the principle product.