Originally Posted by mahning

we had pumas and tapir, they've been all killed in the last 4 years. conservation.. yes of course. That the idea ultimately. The affected part would recover too. but this is cowboys and indians AK and 22. Forest? clear it, burn it and sell it - this is the money. I'm holding this line uniquely because I am a total fool. I am looking today at a budget: About 4 kilometers of bounderies have to be cleaned. 15 men 15 days, 2 cooks, food, 1 chainsaw, machetes, files etc. it all come to about $4,000. Where is that supposed to come from? and that's just a small section. then there is the full time personel who want double pay because of the constant threats and intimidations. This is difficult terrain: poor visibility and radio transmission, hard to move around (especially during the rains). It is also a harsh scene: mostly poor guys hoping for a quick fix, common criminals running from justice, bullies and preaching swindlers. The frontier is what it is. Now, How do I protect/conserve this forest if I don't hold that line? And how can I sustain this without some source of income? Further, why am I the trouble maker and all is good for the cattleman? Money talks right? I'm looking at bananas in this context. It protects the young trees and we're getting some food too. Things should settle down within a couple of years, during this time, should I grow a population of diverse alternates to the Cavendish? Is this silly or sensible? If yes, how should I schedule/sequence thingss? etc. (sorry, that sounds so needy.. I actually want to ask you the scientific names of the species you suggest because common names change 20 miles)