Deforestation

Deforestation:Causes, Effects ,control

DeforestationThe term deforestation refers to the removal or reduction of forest cover.

Causes of deforestation:Encroachment of forest land for agricultural use:

Expansion of cities

Construction of dams, canals and highways

Establishment of industrial areas

Mining

Shifting cultivation

Forest fire:

Demand for firewood

Submergence of forest in river valley projects

Case study Some of the finest tropical evergreen forests in the world are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Island, which are also rich in biodiversity and contain a variety of known and unknown species of flora and fauna. The British established a forest department on the island in 1883 and began the extraction of the timber using convict labour. (The Andaman jail was famous for housing political prisoners, who had opposed the British government.) The logging has continued without a break even after in independence.Such large –scale logging has led to forest degradation and the resultant soil erosion has led to a heavy flow of`sediments into the coastal waters that has smothered and killed a substantial amount of corals. The extraction has also adversely affects mangroves and corals. Species such as the saltwater crocodile and the Andaman wild pig have become endangered.

Effects of deforestation

Loose of natural habitat of habitat and plants:

Increased intensity and frequency of floods:

Land degradation

Loss of forest products: there is a deceased availability of forest products due to cutting of the trees. For example, shrinkage of forest has resulted in such an acute scarcity of fuel wood that gathering alone take 360 days a year per family in Gambia

Change in climate conditions: the climate of a region depends upon the rainfall and temperature patterns. Forests are important sinks for atmospheric CO2. The most recent survey on deforestation and greenhouse gas emission reports that deforestation may account for as much as 10% of current greenhouse gas emissions.

Siltation of rivers and lakes: in the absence of tree, the soil particles are eroded by rains during run-offs. This eventually leads to the deposition of soil sediments in lakes and ponds.

Loss of revenue: deforestation leads to loss of forest products and hence causes a loss in revenue

Loss of revenue: deforestation leads to loss of forest products and hence causes a loss in revenue

Increased socio-economic problems in the long run: indigenous people may be forced to leave the place and, are uprooted from their culture and traditions. This causes several socio-economic problems in the long run

Control of deforestation:

the important measures that are helpful in controlling forest destruction are as follows: Mining activities should be

prohibited in areas declared as protected forests.

Cutting of trees should be followed by massive plantation.

The environmental laws and legal provision should be strictly enforced

Forest extension should be carried out through social forestry, agro forestry, recreation forestry, extension forestry, etc.

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