Deforestation is a major environmental issue studied under the subject of World Geography, referring to the large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and industrial activities. It leads to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate imbalance, and disruption of ecological cycles. Understanding its causes, impacts, and conservation measures is essential for sustainable development and environmental protection.
Deforestation
- As per the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) under the Kyoto Protocol, deforestation is defined as the direct human-induced conversion of forested land to non-forested land, specifically focusing on areas where canopy cover drops below a certain threshold (like 10%) or transforms into agriculture, pasture, or urban areas, excluding sustainable harvesting.
- Forests are areas covered with trees and plants that absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, keep the atmosphere balanced and indirectly help in preventing global warming.
- According to scientists, before human development, 25% of the earth was covered with forests, and they are a major example of geo-ecology.
- Forests are not only a source of fuel and raw materials, but also maintain atmospheric humidity, increase rainfall, control river flow and pollution, prevent soil erosion and floods. They are helpful in maintaining water cycle, air cycle and land fertility.
- Forests are the shelter of many animals and birds, a source of medicines, and can be developed as a source of recreation and income. They provide raw material for cottage industries such as cane, honey, gum, lac etc.
- Forests prevent noise and air pollution and are the lifeline of any nation. Environmental stability and ecological balance depend on the condition of forests.
Deforestation
- Due to current economic activities, natural vegetation is facing serious environmental and ecological problems, such as soil erosion, frequency and extent of floods, drought due to reduction in rainfall, and extinction of many animal species. For ecological balance, one-third of the total area of every country should be covered with dense forests, but this rule has been neglected in most countries.
Causes of Deforestation
- Industrialisation: Forests are cut down to make land available for industrial development. Forests are extensively used for raw materials and fuel for industries, mining and packaging.
- Shifting cultivation: In tropical regions, burning of forests for shifting cultivation increases the fertility of the land, but it causes rapid erosion of the land.
- Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by animals prevents the growth of new vegetation, which leads to the destruction of forests.
- Conversion of Grasslands: In marine climatic regions worldwide, particularly in temperate and subtropical zones of North and South America and Africa, forests have been extensively converted into grazing lands for dairy farming.
- Conversion of Agricultural Land: The need for agricultural land to support the growing population has led to rapid deforestation. Many developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions are particularly affected.
- Forest fire: Forest fires caused by natural (lightning strikes) and anthropogenic causes cause rapid destruction.
- Poverty: Poor communities depend on forests for their livelihoods, leading to increased deforestation. In developing countries like India, a significant portion of the population relies on forests for firewood and minor forest produce.
- Multi-purpose projects: Dams and reservoirs require large-scale submergence of forests, leading to permanent loss of forest cover.
Adverse Effects of Deforestation
- Environmental damage: Deforestation disrupts the natural balance, leading to problems such as land erosion, floods, drought, low rainfall and environmental pollution.
- Water crisis: Absence of forests leads to reduced rainfall, which causes water sources such as ponds, wells and streams to dry up.
- Soil erosion: In the absence of forests, rainwater damages the soil, while the roots of trees strengthen the soil.
- Landslides: Deforestation increases the incidence of landslides, causing huge loss of life and property.
- In the absence of forests, flood control is disrupted, leading to the destruction of crops, lives, and fertile soil. As a result, land productivity decreases, and the availability of arable land declines.
Measures to prevent deforestation
A. Proper Forest Management Policy
- To control deforestation, a scientific and systematic approach should be adopted.
- Tree felling should be done rationally and scientifically
- Special efforts should be made to protect forests from environmental threats such as soil erosion, plant diseases, and deforestation.
- Afforestation should be promoted, considering regional requirements and conditions.
- Plantations should not replace natural forests. In Himachal Pradesh, cutting down forests for apple orchards has harmed the local environment.
B. Forest Conservation
- The government should take control of forest areas and impose strict restrictions on deforestation.
- In India, sensitive forest species have been legally protected under government initiatives.
C. Social Forestry
- Social forestry is a forest development system that considers economic and social needs of communities while promoting afforestation and regulated tree-cutting for fuelwood.
- Under this system, trees are planted on barren land, village common land, along canals, roads, railway tracks, and degraded forest areas.
- Benefits of Social Forestry:
- Utilization of barren land.
- Employment generation to reduce unemployment.
- Development of recreational spaces.
- Boost to cottage industries.
- Reduction of environmental pollution.
- Employment for rural artisans.
- Increased income for the poor.
- Development of transport routes.
D. Public Participation in Forest Conservation
- Public awareness is essential for forest conservation. Without people’s involvement, deforestation cannot be stopped.
- People should be made aware of the consequences of deforestation. Notable movements include: Chipko Movement (Uttarakhand), Soil Conservation Campaign (Hoshangabad). Women-led pledge to stop logging (Shyampur).
- Other Environmental Movements: Women’s movement in Reni village (Uttarakhand), Protests against Amazon rainforest deforestation, environmental slogans like “Save the Sick Himalayas.”
- Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) – 1952: Initiated by the Government of India in July 1952 under the National Forest Policy. Based on the concept: “Trees mean water, water means food, and food is life.”
Government Measures for Environmental Protection in India
Establishment of the Environmental Protection Department
- In 1980, the Government of India established the Environmental Protection Department.
- State governments were also instructed to set up their own environmental departments.
- Responsibilities: Formulating and implementing environmental protection policies.
Comprehensive Environmental Protection Act, 1986
- A landmark act was enacted in 1986 to address previous shortcomings in environmental regulations.
- The act empowers central and state authorities to take necessary measures for environmental protection.
- 20 state governments were given authority to issue guidelines for the implementation of this act.
Biodiversity Act-2002
- Regulates access to the country’s biological resources to ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.
- Aims to govern the use of biological knowledge related to these resources.
- A National Biodiversity Conservation Plan has been developed to coordinate agencies dealing with biodiversity conservation.
- National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in Chennai for effective implementation.
Central pollution control board
- An autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
- Established in September 1974 under The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- Coordinates State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).
- Advises the central government on pollution prevention and control
National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board
- Established in 1992.
- Responsible for afforestation, maintaining ecological balance, and promoting eco-development activities in the country.
National Air Quality Monitoring Programme
- Under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), the four air pollutants regularly monitored are Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2), Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM/PM10), and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
- Monitors toxic substances such as lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seven major metropolitan cities.
Environmental Protection Policies
- National Forest Policy (1986)
- Pollution Prevention Framework (1991)
- Forest Conservation Act (1980, 1988)
- Water Prevention and Pollution Control Act (1977, 1988)
- Air Prevention and Pollution Control Act (1981, 1987)
- National Wildlife Action Plan.
National River Conservation Directorate
- Phase-I of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) started in 1985 but was discontinued on March 31, 2000.
- The National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) reviewed the progress of the Ganga Action Plan and other river-cleaning programs.
- Phase-II of the Ganga Action Plan was merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
Problems related to atmospheric environment
- Atmospheric Environmental Issues – Excessive use of fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel, gas), rapid deforestation, and increased transportation activities have led to global climate change.
Major Atmospheric Imbalances:
- Ozone Depletion (Ozone Hole)
- Global Warming
- Acid Rain
- Greenhouse Effect
These environmental challenges demand urgent intervention through policy reforms, sustainable practices, and international cooperation.
