NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR CONSERVATION Chapter - 2 NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR CONSERVATION  2009 Jupiterimages Corporation

Forest Resources

Classification of Forest Old growth/Frontier forest: uncut forest Second growth: Result from ecological succession that takes place when forest are cleared. Plantation: managed forest for commercially valuable tree.

Classification of Forest Old growth/Frontier forest: uncut forest Second growth: Result from ecological succession that takes place when forest are cleared. Plantation: managed forest for commercially valuable tree.

They provide natural habitat to tribal people. Natural habitat Manure Importance of Forests Direct Benefits Raw material Timber Edible product They provide natural habitat to tribal people. Natural habitat Manure fuel wood Contribute to national income Medicinal plants Tourism Employment opportunities.

Indirect Benefits They help in regulating the gases in atmosphere. Forests help in minimizing natural hazards. They help in reducing soil erosion and siltation of downstream water bodies. They help in reducing desertification and land degradation. They help in maintaining biodiversity by providing habitat to wild animals. They help in regulating hydrological cycle. They help in regulating the gases in atmosphere.

Villagers in Cherrapunji carting water from other areas

The Story of Cherrapunji Wettest place on earth 11.5 m of annual rain Yet drought in non-monsoon months Reason: Forests cut down

Deforestation The 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 Demand for firewood Mining Shifting cultivation Forest fires Submergence of forests in river valley projects Commercial logging Paper Industries

Logging Leads To Deforestation

Forest Making Way For Farms

Impact or effect of Deforestation Deforestation exposes soils and shade species to wind, sunlight, evaporation, and erosion. Soil fertility goes down, topsoil is eroded and siltation in dams, rivers. The increased sedimentation harms downstream fisheries no regulation of the flow into rivers: So increases the intensity of flood Loss of natural habitat Extinction of some species Land degradation Loss of forest product

Impact of Deforestation (contd) Change in climatic condition Local and global climate changes can occur. Global warming Siltation of rivers and lakes Loss of revenue Change in water cycle and reduces rain fall

Erosion Forest Fire

Control of deforestation Reduce mining activity Tree Plantation Enforcement of environmental laws and legal provision Extension of forest through social forestry, agro forestry Public awareness

Participation of locals in forest conservation

The story of Chipko: The women who saved the trees March 26, 1974 in the forest next to Renni village in the Garhwal District of Himalayas. People action preventing destruction of environment

Saving the World’s Forests Recommendations of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development (WCFSD): Stop the destruction of the earth’s forests. Use the forest resources to improve life for poor people and forest-dependent communities. Involve people in decisions about forest use. Set the price of forests to reflect their full ecological and social values, and stop harmful subsidies to lumber companies. Apply sustainable forest management approaches.

Saving the World’s Forests (contd) WCFSD Recommendations (contd): Plan for the use and protection of whole landscapes, not the forest in isolation. Make better use of knowledge about forests, and greatly expand this information base. Accelerate research and training so sustainable forest management can become a reality quickly. Take bold political decisions and develop new civil society institutions to improve governance and accountability regarding forest use.

Control of deforestation Mining activity should be prohibited in the 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 etc. Public awareness regarding medicinal and other economic and environmental significance of forest should be created.