Page 59 - Rights beautiful : collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik

Rights Beautiful Collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik

that, in spite of centuries-old deforestation and depletion of species and
bio-diversity, there still remains a great potential for the creative future of
2
mankind. Indeed, it is a matter of human own choice. This is exactly the
question of management and the conflicts involved we are concerned with
here at this forum. It is then not just a matter of “dispute resolution” per se,
but fundamentally part of the political process towards more intelligent future.
But before coming to that point, let us take a closer look at the
delicate and sensitive nature, as well as cultural dimension, of bio-diversity
itself. In the first place, the tropical forests and bio-diversity are not just
patches or pieces of genetic resources that could be taken out at will.
Within each region, they constitute one continuous space and inter-related
whole. That is the reason why it is to be understood and acted upon as one
unifying resource base transcending the international boundaries and
internal divisions mong localities and communities. Its integrity and
sustainability must needs be a prerequisite, and conservation be upheld as
a matter of principle in dealing with bio-diversity. Secondly, associated
with this holistic worldview is also the inter-relatedness between various
parts of the tropics: from the mountaintops down through lowlands to
maritime areas. All so delicately exist in ecological equilibrium. Fragmentation
of tropical forest space, for whatever reasons, poses a threat to their
natural habitats and rapid destruction. And once they get lost, they are gone
forever and further endangering to all the rest. For all the great variety of
human mismanagement, it is estimated that 20-50% of the world’s species

2
Norman Myers, “Tropical Forests and Life on Earth”, in Suzanne Head and Robert Heinzman,
Lessons of the Rainforest, San Francisco, Sierra Books Club, 1990, pp. 16-17.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THAILAND 53