Fruits of the forest

In London last summer a Conference with the theme “The Rainforest Harvest” was held. Delegates at the Conference received pots of Zambian honey distributed on behalf of North Western Bee Products Ltd by Bob Malichi and David Wainwright (see “Organic honey and beeswax”). Honey thus formed one example of a product which can provide an economic lifeline for forest dwellers.

Prince Charles attended the Conference. In his speech he drew attention to the fact that forest dwellers have often been the last on the list of those to profit from export crops. He told the Conference that benefits must go to local people, and called for the establishment of a system to pay for the use of forest resources.

A treat for delegates was “rainforest ice-cream” made from cupuaca and biriba, two fruits of the Amazon. These and other fruits, nuts and resins are being promoted by entrepreneurial environmentalists, trying to find sources of income alternative to timber for people living in tropical forests. With people in industrialised countries increasingly aware of environmental issues, such forest products could find an enthusiastic market.