Forests, Deforestation and Human Health
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Date
2004
Authors
Aloo, T. C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Joypet Sevices & Printers Ltd.
Abstract
Abstract
Trees and forests have beneficial effects on the
environment. They conserve biodiversity, protect
soils and watersheds and act as a carbon sink.
Deforestation on the other hand results in
deleterious effects on the environment. The bestknowneffects
of deforestation are those attributed
to the green house gases and climate change.
Deforestationalso results in habitat changes, which
affect disease vectors and parasites resulting in a
change in disease incidences.
Thispaper explores the effects of trees, forests and
deforestation on human health. It is based on a
survey of available literature and a three-week
market survey conducted in Nairobi. The paper
starts by discussing the role of herbal medicines
andforest foods on human health. The thrust of
thepaper is on the effect of deforestation on a few
nameddiseases. Deforestation is the most important
factor in some disease incidences due to the
resultant alteration of the vector habitat. Human
populations venturing into and opening up new
forest areas for settlement are exposed to diseases
such as yellow fever and malaria. Deforestation
or bush clearance has been used to control tsetse
flies, vectors of sleeping sickness and has also been
shownto result in lower incidents of river blindness
(Taylor 1997).
Only one incidence of afforestation resulting in
increasedmalaria is reported in Trinidad (Taylor
1997). In. view of the importance of forestry and
trees in human life, the paper recommends the
inclusionof relevant forestry topics in the material
taught to students of Environmental Health
Description
This paper was presented at the International workshop on ‘Environmental Health Education in the East African Region’ 24th - 26th March 2004 held at Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Citation
International workshop on ‘Environmental Health Education in the East African Region’ 24th - 26th March 2004