ECOLOGICAL CRISIS 89 long-term for us, unless something is immediately done. The pitch has also been queered by various 'environmental movements' in the past that have had essentially an anti-technology or anti-industry bias. Many such movements and interests have, in the past, given the environmental debate and environmental activism a bad name. Concluding remarks It seems quite obvious that the large-scale destruction of forests is a result of the uncontrolled exploitation by forest-based industry, on the one hand, and the desperation of the poor rural folk who have no alternative but to rob their own forests to destruction. Obviously this situation has been supported by rampant profiteering among capitalists, traders and contractors, corruption and complicity among the politicians and the administrators and a general inability of the system to help the poor villager earn his living in a more sustainable manner. Further, short-term politics in a system of parliamentary democracy, where elected governments often feel impelled to demonstrate tangible gains within a five year period, effectively exclude a consideration of the environment—which is essentially a matter of long-term perspectives. Nationalisation of forest-based industry seems to be the only possible step available. Following such nationalisation, a realistic evaluation can be made of the pricing of various forest-based products, and the quantum they have to be produced in. This would remove much of the force behind the mass destruction of forests. In order to make afforestation a possibility, wastelands must be identified and then given to landless labourers who can be helped to plant trees and maintain them. It is urgently required to take at least some of the most degraded land out of cultivation and help it to recover its health. This can only be done if some preliminary land-reforms is done so that people who are displaced can find other land to cultivate. The government should immediately identify the worst affected areas and take up the work of land-relocation there on a war-footing. The 'water' and 'aif acts'should be amended to give locus standi to individuals and groups of individuals so that action can be taken against polluting industries. Violation of the law should also involve severe criminal liability. . . i y 1. As quoted to the Parliamentary Committee for Forests and Environment. Based on satellite imagery. 2. Alan Grainge, Desertification. An Earthscan Paper Back, International Institute for Environment & Development, 1982, p. 37-38.