Deforestation is the conversion of forest areas to non-forest ones. It is a serious threat to the quality of life, national economy and future of environment. According to an estimate, almost 40 percent forests have been lost in the tropics, compared to only one percent in the temperate region. The present-scenario of deforestation is particularly grim in India.
The main cause of decrease in forest cover in India is deforestation due to expansion of agriculture, urbanization, industrialization, excessive commercial use of timber, fuel, wood etc. The causes of deforestation are population *****, fires, pests, grazing and gnawing mammals, weather, jhum cultivation, etc. Effects of deforestation are as follows–
(1) Soil erosion has increased;
(2) Flood and droughts have become more frequent;
(3) Pattern of rainfall is changing;
(4) Landslides and avalanches are on the increase;
(5) Climate has become warmer;
(6) Forest dwelling species are becoming extinct;
(7) Consumption of CO2 and production of O2 are getting adversely affected.
