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'' Environmetal Taboos'' were Key in Ghana's Forest Protection |
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In the olden days in Ghana, Certain acts and behavior were considered Environmental Taboos. Our forefathers could not explain the methods as they were shrouded in mystery and secrecy and became taboos in the communities. First and foremost, some forests were declared as sacred and that is where the spirits of our forefathers lived. Such forests were not to be cultivated. Also, certain days in a week were set aside when nobody entered the forests. It was their belief that one met a misfortune if one entered such forests on forbidden days. The beliefs and taboos concerning these sacred places were passed down the generations. There were strict observance and hence, forests and lands were preserved. Rivers and streams and water bodies had their share of these traditional protective mechanisms. Vegetation?s along rivers and streams and other water bodies were not to be cleared, even for agricultural purposes. The water bodies were therefore protected from excessive evaporation. There was water always in rivers and streams even during drought. It was a taboo to defecate near a river or stream, or dump rubbish into rivers. The believe was that it led to a bad omen. The river spirit would bring a sickness or calamity to the offender. Any indecent act committed against a river had serious repercussion.
Some rivers and streams were worshiped and sacrifices were made to their spirits. Rivers and streams were therefore treated with respect so as not to offend their spirits and make them angry and bring some harm or calamity to the community. Today in Ghana, all the above Environmental Taboos have been ignored and considered to be acts of the old. I would say undoubtedly that it is one of the reasons why Ghana is facing numerous environmental and sanitation problems. Ghana is losing its forest reserves so rapidly and has exacerbated droughts and bushfires. In 1997 and 1998, widespread bushfires led the government to step up its anti-bushfire campaign, but the reform had little effect. Desert is encroaching on some deforested lands and soil erosion is rampant. The economic development of Ghana has come at a great cost to its forests and environment. The impact of deforestation on the natural environment in Ghana are numerous, some of which are reversible whilst others are not. In summary, the notable effects in Ghana include:
The continuous loss of forest is indeed having serious detrimental effect on sustainable development in Ghana. Notable ones are:
Ghana's Forest protection is very key and that in my opinion, I think we need to revisit some of the don't s in ''Environmental Taboos''
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2 Comments
Actually, in Indonesia we have environmental Taboos or local wisdom to save the environment esp. forest. :)
Posted 30-08-2012 12:27
''Environmental Taboos'' in Ghana
Posted 29-08-2012 21:59