Easter Island threatened by deforestation - 21 Oct 09

2012-05-29 35

Every year thousands of tourists flock to Easter Island to see its famous monumental sculptures.

But what was once a vital source of income for the tiny Polynesian island is now threatening its very existence.

As outsiders drain its resources Easter Island has become a living example of what can happen to a human civilisation when deforestation gets out of control.

Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman has this report from Easter Island.