To halt the problems of deforestation, the cutting must stop. However, the global trade in tropical timber is worth in excess of 5 billion pounds per year! Thus a call for its abolition would cause a great uprise. Maybe logging can still be done, but following a set of guidelines on how it should be carried out to sustain the rainforest.

One of the many organisations that are seeking to minimise the effect of commercial logging is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It was founded in 1993 and was its international trademark was launched in 1996. It helps responsible consumers identify timber products that has come from sustainable soures. FSC has members from the various aspects of the timber industry, including environmental institutions, timber trade, forestry profession and indigenous peoples’ organisations. This has help in granting them the ability to lay down 10 principles and criteria that logging companies must follow. This will therefore ensure that the capacities of the forests concerned is not exceeded. At present, about 8 million hectares of the rainforest in the world is certified under FSC.

On the other hand, regions of rainforests that are deemed too sensitive, even more well managed logging are made into protected areas. Also, together with enforced legislation, this would be an effective defence against the many problems affecting rain forests.

But importantly, people must be informed whose actions pose a threat to the forests and are introduced to ways they can help to overcome these problems. Indigenous people must also be taught about the importance of the rainforest and it is also necessary for conservation organisations to advice them about making the best use of their natural resources. For people in the developed countries, it is important for them to know the impacts rainforests suffer from each timber product they buy.

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