ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

LECTURE-8

Forest Resources

Forest is important renewable resources. Forest vary in composition and diversity and
can contribute substantially to the economic development of any country .Plants along
with trees cover large areas, produce variety of products and provide food for living
organisms, and also important to save the environment.
It is estimated that about 30% of world area is covered by forest whereas 26% by
pastures. Among all continents, Africa has largest forested area (33%) followed by Latin
America (25%), whereas in North America forest cover is only 11%. Asia and former
USSR has 14% area under forest. European countries have only 3% area under forest
cover. India’s Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the
country as of 2005.

Significance of forests
Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important uses of
forest can be classified as under

 Commercial values
 Ecological significance
 Aesthetic values
 Life and economy of tribal

Uses of Forests

Commercial values

Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood, timber, pulpwood
etc. About 1.5 billion people depend upon fuel wood as an energy source. Timber
obtained from the forest can used to make plywood, board, doors and windows,
furniture, and agriculture implements and sports goods. Timber is also a raw material
for preparation of paper, rayon and film.
Forest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.
Forest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.
Forest is important source of development of dams, recreation and mining.

Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other products needed for tribal people and play a
vital role in the life and economy of tribes living in the forest.
Ecological uses

Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species. They help
in reducing global warming caused by green house gases and produces oxygen upon
photosynthesis.
Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps in soil
conservation but also helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.

Aesthetic values

All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the forest because
forests have a greatest aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for recreation and
ecosystem research.

Over exploitation of forests

Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing population

increased demand of fuel wood, expansion of area under urban development and
industries has lead to over exploitation of forest .At present international level we are
losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually. Overexploitation also occurs due
to overgrazing and conversion of forest to pastures for domestic use.

Deforestation

1. Forest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture ,harvesting for wood
and timber , development and expansion of cities .These economic gains are
short term where as long term effects of deforestation are irreversible
2. Deforestation rate is relatively low in temperate countries than in tropics If
present rate of deforestation continues we may losses 90% tropical forest in
coming six decades
3. For ecological balance 33% area should be under forest cover but our nation has
only 20.6% forest cover.
Causes of deforestation

Forest area in some developed area has expanded. However in developing countries
area under forest is showing declining trend particularly in tropical region. Main causes
of deforestation are

a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation

This practise is prevalent in tribal areas where forest lands are cleared to grow
subsistence crops. It is estimated that principle cause of deforestation in tropics in
Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated to be 70, 50, and 35% respectively.
Shifting cultivation which is a practice of slash and burn agriculture are posses to clear
more than 5 lakh hectares of land annually. In India, shifting cultivation is prevalent in
northeast and to limited extent in M.P, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and is contributing
significantly to deforestation.

b) Commercial logging
It is a important deforestation agent. It may not be the primary cause but definitely it
acts as secondary cause, because new logging lots permits shifting cultivation and fuel
wood gatherers access to new logged areas.

c) Need for fuel wood

Increased population has lead to increasing demand for fuel wood which is also acting
as an important deforestation agent, particularly in dry forest.

d) Expansion for agribusiness

With the addition of cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental plants,
there is stress to expand the area for agribusiness products which results in
deforestation.

e) Development projects and growing need for food

The growing demand for electricity, irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has lead to
destruction of forest. Increased population needs more food which has compelled for
increasing area under agriculture crops compelling for deforestation.

f) Raw materials for industrial use

Forest provides raw material for industry and it has exerted tremendous pressure on
forest. Increasing demand for plywood for backing has exerted pressure on cutting of
other species such as fir to be used as backing material for apple in J&K and tea in
northeast states.

Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects and damages the environment and living
beings .

Effects of deforestation
 Expansion of deserts
 Climate change and depletion of water table
 Loss of biodiversity ,flora and fauna
 Environmental changes and disturbance in forest ecosystems

Timber extraction

There has been unlimited exploitation of timber for commercial use. Due to increased
industrial demand; timber extraction has significant effect on forest and tribal people.

Logging
  Poor logging results in degraded forest and may lead to soil erosion especially on
slopes.
 New logging roads permit shifting cultivators and fuel wood gatherers to gain
access to the logging area.
 Loss of long term forest productivity
 Species of plants and animals may be eliminated
 Exploitation of tribal people by contractor.

Mining

Major effects of mining operations on forest and tribal people are:

 Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from deep
deposits is done by sub-surface mining. It leads to degradation of lands and loss
of top soil. It is estimated that about eighty thousands hectare land is under
stress of mining activities in India
 Mining leads to drying up perennial sources of water sources like spring and
streams in mountainous area.
 Mining and other associated activities remove vegetation along with underlying
soil mantle, which results in destruction of topography and landscape in the area.
Large scale deforestation has been reported in Mussorie and Dehradun valley
due to indiscriminating mining.
 The forested area has declined at an average rate of 33% and the increase in
non-forest area due to mining activities has resulted in relatively unstable zones
leading to landslides.
 Indiscriminate mining in forests of Goa since 1961 has destroyed more than
50000 ha of forest land. Coal mining in Jharia, Raniganj and Singrauli areas has
caused extensive deforestation in Jharkhand.
 Mining of magnetite and soapstone have destroyed 14 ha of forest in hilly slopes
of Khirakot, Kosi valley and Almora.
 Mining of radioactive minerals in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are posing
similar threats of deforestation.
 The rich forests of Western Ghats are also facing the same threat due to mining
projects for excavation of copper, chromites, bauxite and magnetite.

Forest conservation and management

Forest is one of the most valuable resources and thus needs to be conserved. To
conserve forest, following steps should be taken.

 Conservation of forest is a national problem, thus it should be tackled with perfect

coordination between concerned government departments.
 People should be made aware of importance of forest and involved in forest
conservation activities.
 The cutting of trees in the forests for timber should be stopped.
 A forestation programmes should be launched
 Grasslands should be regenerated.
 Forest conservation Act should be strictly implemented to check deforestation.
 Awards should be instituted for the deserving.