Question

Determine possible threats to specific assets in (your) environment. (100-150 words)

Answer 1

I study in an ecological research institute in a tropical country. The region is home to one of the world's highly fragile ecosystem and is home to some of the endangered species of flora and fauna. The governments have long resisted any industrial development in the region owing to its vulnerability. However, the area is under acute pressure from the natural and man made reasons. The specific asset under threat in our environment is the unique rain forest that houses rare species of birds, animals, reptiles, plants, herbs and microorganisms. It is spread in an area of 8000 sq kms,and is also inhibited by aborigins who have lived in complete harmony with the environment for thousands of years.

The most visible threat is from the surrounding areas that are bursting with population load and slowly making inroads into the forest, which has been declared by the government as protected area, in every possible way, on pretext of research, social welfare, animal help activities and so on. Other threat is natural, that of global warming, which has caused significant changes in the forest, most of them irreversible. The environment pollution from surrounding areas enters the park through water from rivulets and streams, and through toxic air and effluents from the factories that process leather and PVC in adjoining state. Adventure tourists also enter the park illegally through trails and behave irresponsibly by littering the garbage, disturbing the wildlife,harassing the animals and creating all sorts of nuisance.