Deforestation and its effects on Environment

 

What is Deforestation?

Deforestation can be defined as the removal of trees from forests or other lands on a large scale for the facilitation of human activities. It is a serious environmental concern since it results in loss of biodiversity, damage to natural habitats, disturbances in the water cycle, and soil erosion. Deforestation is also a major cause of climate change and global warming.

Definition of Deforestation

“Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.”

 What is the Importance of Forest?

Forests are the best gift nature has provided to mankind. It provides space for living to many of the living organisms. Forest constituents of different kinds of Herbs, Shrubs along with different kinds of trees.

1.   Forest acts as a great source of oxygen and helps in maintaining the temperature levels of the atmosphere.

2.   Forest is one of the important source from where we get clean drinking water.

3.   Water in the soil is absorbed by the plant’s roots and the excess water is released into the atmosphere which helps in the occurrence of rainfall.

4.   Forests help in sustainability by managing biodiversity.

5.   Forest provides shelter and shade.

6.   Forests provide us with fruits, timber, water, medicine, etc.

7.   They are also a source of raw material for many commercially important products such as paper, wood, and fabric.

8.   Forest provides nearly 1.6 billion people with employment benefits.

9.   Forest helps in managing climate, soil erosion, and controlling noise pollution.

10.Forest controls climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases and acting as a carbon storehouse.

10.                     Forests play a vital role in the water cycle.

 

Does Deforestation Disturb Animal Life in the Forest?

Yes, deforestation causes a major impact on some animal species that are entirely dependent upon old-growth forest habitats. Without the forests and few natural habitats, the animals are left with no place to live and breed. Cutting down trees in the forest reduces the number of wild creatures because birds, reptiles, and insects lose their homes and food supplies. Many animals are on the edge of extinction as a result of this.

Causes of Deforestation

Deforestation is caused by a variety of factors, including population expansion, agricultural operations, logging, preference for urbanization, infrastructure development, and so on. The demand for more land to dwell on continues to increase as the population grows. This is one of the main reasons why trees are being taken down. Modernization has caused a significant increase in the demand for land for the establishment of industries. The following are the primary causes of deforestation.

1. Cattle Grazing – Cattle ranching is the highest cause of deforestation and it is high in most of the forest areas of India.

 

2. Practice of Shifting Cultivation– The crops are cultivated for a short period of time, and then the land is left to remain fallow.

 

3. Adverse Effects of Industries– This is because the forest lands are cleared for undertaking these activities. Plants and trees have been cut down for the projects of many dams and industrial construction, which leads to adverse effects on the environment. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) encouraged the planting of trees, planning for the regeneration of the ecosystem, and stopping the construction of industries.

 

4. Requirement of Raw Materials – This leads to indiscriminate deforestation on a large scale. The raw materials which are extracted from the forest, like wood, timber, etc., are used to make furniture like chairs, tables, cots, windows, and much more things.

 

5. Need for Fuel-wood- Fuel-wood is a major source of power and energy, which leads to large-scale deforestation. Tribal community people cut down trees for fuel and build homes from the woods to live their life. They know the importance of forests and trim their requirements accordingly to protect the forests. Whereas the modern community people cut down trees for decorating interiors of homes and using the extract of sandalwood for beauty purposes.

 

6. Increasing Demand for Food – This act results in deforestation or clearance of forest for new cultivation.

 

7. Natural Calamities – Natural calamities like floods, forest fires, earthquakes, etc., causes the huge loss of forests and trees.

 

8. Construction of New Buildings, Roads and Other Infrastructural Facilities – Usage of wood and logs are used much for construction purposes which is a leading cause of deforestation.

 

9. Mining – It is another important factor for deforestation. Large forest or vegetation areas are cleared and burned down for mining operations. This causes degradation of land, soil erosion, etc.

Effects of Deforestation

1.   The major effect of deforestation on the environment is global warming and climatic change. 

2.   Deforestation causes the extinction of animals, soil erosion, increase in carbon dioxide level, and a reduction in chances of rainfall. 

3.   Cutting down trees can directly or indirectly affect human health. Due to the lack of oxygen, people may suffer from breathing problems. 

4.   When a forest is destroyed, the wild animals that were living there may enter the cities and villages and spoil the crops or kill people.

5.   The overexploitation of wood and timber can harm the economy. The short-term economic gains made from deforestation are accompanied by reduced long-term productivity.

Deforestation Effects on Environment

1.   Loss of habitat for various animal and plant species.

2.   Quality of the soil degrades and results in soil degradation. The erosion of topsoil takes place, and later, it results in the poor productivity of food crops and cash crops.

3.   The water cycle gets disturbed.

4.   Climate change takes place, which results in global warming. This is one of the reasons why the seasons changes are getting delayed.

Summary

Deforestation is the worst thing that can happen to the environment. It not only destroys the environment but also depletes biodiversity. Forests must be saved and protected because it is the home to many wildlife species. It plays a vital role in maintaining temperature. We get fresh oxygen and good rainfall if we save trees. Government and relevant authorities must adopt a policy of zero-tolerance against deforestation.

 

How to Stop Deforestation?

Because deforestation causes significant changes in our environment, we as humans must open our eyes and see the gravity of the problem, as well as take the necessary steps to curb deforestation. Our environment will suffer as a result, and future generations will pay the price for our ignorance.

We, as humans, are chopping down trees haphazardly to feed our hunger, and we have blinded ourselves to the value of forests. Let’s start a campaign to raise awareness and prevent deforestation. The government needs to pay attention to this problem and penalize people who destroy forests for no reason.