VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

DEFORESTATION

• Deforestation occurs at an alarming rate. In India, we have lost 40 million hectares of forests during the last 100 years. Of the total land area of 329 million hectares, 174 million hectares of forests, agricultural and non-agricultural lands have been degraded. Deforestation in temperate countries is one per cent only. But, it is 40% in tropical countries! Tropical forests are reduced by 10 million hectares per year. This will lead to 90% reduction of forests in the next 60 years.

Causes of deforestation

• The following are the causes of deforestation
• Overpopulation and shifting cultivation have resulted in a loss of 51 million of hectares forests.
• The increase in demand for fuel in another reason. The demand was 200 to 500 million tons in 2001, whereas it was only 65 million tons in 1947.
• Increasing demand for raw materials for industries . About 900 million trees are cut down in a year to supply raw materials needed for American pulpmills and paper.
• Growing needs of food and development of various projects
• Overgrazing, increase of pests, mining, forest fire and construction of dams.

Consequences of deforestation

• Soil erosion; 6000 million tons of soil get eroded every year in India.
• Frequent floods are a common occurrence.
• Threatening of wild life species and their habitats, loss of biodiversity, erosion of genetic diversity and loss of economy take place.
• The hydrological cycle is affected and rainfall is reduced.
• Global warming, climate and drought occur.
• Landslides in hilly areas and increase in wind speed occur.