Environmental project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental project - Essay Example Sustainability of the project is among the greatest challenges toward implementation of the entire canopy walkway facility in the short run and long run (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). The positive and negative effects of the project to the environment are critical to execution. A canopy walkway would help pedestrians, researchers and tourists with uncomplicated access to the canopy of the Tropical Forest biome. Construction of walkway bridges supported by cables and pathways that do not require researchers’ physical efforts are some of the key tasks. Generally, researchers for a long time have relied on rope climbing techniques (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). The economic benefits of a canopy walkway are the main motivating factors to its implementation. The walkway will also provide opportunity for further education alongside opening up avenues for local community participation. However, the project must adhere to the laid down procedures of environmental management as wel l as forest conservation bodies (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). 2.0 Overview of Environmental Impacts The canopy walkway will generate array of challenges to the environment as well as the local inhabitants. The walkway will cause damages to trees and canopy. Such damages would be detrimental to long-term goal, which is to step up forest conservation and other natural resources within the locality and the Tropical region at large (Zeppel 2006, p. 220). In addition, the canopy walkway will interfere with the habitats of various animals. Birds together with animals that live on top of large trees would lose their habitat to construction processes. Therefore, birds of different species will perish or migrate during construction work. Tourist activities and construction process might lead to air and soil pollution. For instance, tourist might careless dispose food items, plastic materials and chemicals substances thereby causing pollution to the soil. Similarly, these food substances c ontribute to air pollution upon decomposition. Furthermore, the canopy walkway might contribute to an alteration of the relationships that previous existed between competing species (Zeppel 2006, p. 220). For example, destruction of trees to give way for construction work and certain feeding habits. Careless damping of injurious items, chemicals, and bridge constructions may cause significant decrease in biomass and contribute to mechanical damages to the vegetation. 3.0 Environmental Benefits of Project Canopy walkway project has significant benefits to the environment as well as local community. Revenues obtained from tourists could be used to facilitate conservation of the area. Since canopy walkways are constructed high above the ground, they spare several animals their habitat against probable destruction if roads or pathways were to be constructed within the forested zone in place of canopy walkways (Buckley 2009, p. 117). Moreover, people who visit the walkway carry new ideas that help influence their own lives and lives of people in their home states or countries. Thus, environmental conservation would become a universal requirement or necessity nationally and globally. Bringing local and foreign tourists to the area will positively influence environmental conservation processes and procedures alongside contributing to economic development (Buckley 2009, p. 117). The local community through its environment management organization will use funds obtained from tourism to enhance awareness creation and responsiveness to conserve Mother Nature and other inherent resources. Passing over the canopy is not only a memorable experience but also a challenge