Eucalyptus Debate Continues

[LaoPo]

Eucalyptus debate continues

Writer: WALAILAK KEERATIPIPATPONG - Published: 16/07/2009 at 12:00 AM

The impact of farming eucalyptus trees on Thailand's ecosystem remains a highly controversial topic for agriculturists, academics and state officials.

Some academic research says eucalyptus plantations have a devastating effect on the environment as they dry up groundwater reserves and leach vast quantities of nutrients from the soil.

But officials and the pulp and paper industry see the tree as a lucrative cash crop that could help reduce farmers' poverty levels.

"There have been studies that say the [eucalyptus] tree has no adverse effects on soil fertility and water levels. The farmed tree business is a source of additional income that also adds green areas to the land," said Charnvit Jarusombathi, senior executive vice-president of the pulp and paper company Advance Agro Plc (AA).

AA has encouraged farmers to grow eucalyptus for 19 years to supply wood chips for its pulp and paper mills.

In 2002, the company heavily promoted eucalyptus as a paper crop and suggested farmers grow the trees around the borders of their rice fields.

Today, some 1.2 million rice farmers grow paper trees in such a manner. The crop provides a supplementary income of about 16,000 baht a year for 20 rai of rice growing 1,600 trees.

Continues here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/econom...ebate-continues

-- Bangkok Post 16/07/2009

LaoPo

[newcomer01]

Wait till there is a fire and see what happens. Look at LA and of course OZ when they get alight.

Great if you have a couple of Koalas !!!!

[sunsamourai]

Wait till there is a fire and see what happens. Look at LA and of course OZ when they get alight.

Great if you have a couple of Koalas !!!!

You get roasted koalas !

Jokes aside, the article quotes the officials a basically saying that eucalyptus is good for economy, but didn't give any other fact that would counter balance the disatrous side effects mentionned at the beginning of the article. Basically : short term money is better than long term healthy land.

Back in France, I remember following a debate after Spain had decided to plant eucalyptuses on a large scale in dry areas. The outome of the debate was not in favor of doing so.

I personally enjoy seing a few of them here and there, as their trunks look stunning when they get old, but find it depressing when seing parcels of land covered with the thing. I wouldn't plant any.