A tree Can Mean A Life

It is not possible to sum up the importance of forests in a few words. Forests are of great importance for the whole human fraternity as well as managing the natural balance in the environment. They help preserve biodiversity by providing habitat to many diverse species of wildlife. The Amazon rain forest, for example, is home to nearly 1,300 species of birds, over 400 each of mammals and amphibians, over 300 reptiles and millions of insects.

Soil that might otherwise be lost to wind and water is held in place by the deep roots of trees. By slowing water runoff, forests help the surrounding land absorb more water. As of 2005, global forest product trade was near $400 million, and 30 percent of forests worldwide saw exclusive use for the harvest of forest product, illustrating the economic importance of forests. In addition to timber, forest products include foods, rubber, resins and medicinal products.

Deforestation is the removal of trees on a vast level for fulfilling all the requirements of the growing population. The regular cutting of the forests is creating lots of negative effects over the climate, environment, biodiversity, whole atmosphere as well as threatening the cultural and physical survival of the human being. Scientists have reported recently that the world is heating up even faster than predicted only a few years ago, and that the consequences could be severe if we don't keep reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are trapping heat in our atmosphere.

Exploding human population requires more land to live and harvesting so they need to cut the forests. In this way deforestation is going on more rapidly to fulfill the human needs in many ways. However, the effects of deforestation are faster than the deforestation itself. It is affecting the human lives to a great extent by forcing the negative changes to the environment and atmosphere.

 Conservation of forest is a national problem so it must be tackled with perfect coordination between forest department and other departments. People's participation in the conservation of forests is of vital importance. So, we must get them involved in this national task. The cutting of trees in the forests must be stopped at all costs. Afforestation or special programmes like Van Mahotsav  should be launched on grand scale. Celebrations of all functions, festivals should precede with tree-plantation. Cutting of timber and other forest produce should be restricted. Grasslands should be regenerated. Forest conservation Act 1980 should be strictly implemented to check deforestation.

Hence, there is a need for serious thinking to improve this sector by inducting new technology, attracting more investment, developing non-conventional sources and inculcating habits for saving and conservation.