Page 125 - SST Class 08

however, it is also essential that another tree is
where the common variety is sal. From 1800 to
3000 metres altitude, the mixed-deciduous and grown in place of the one that is cut down.
conifers are found, such as cedar and deodar. The Awareness among People
region higher than this grows pine and birch, All communities should be made aware of the
which have softwood. Generally, we do not find
any vegetation above the height of 4500 metres. value of forests. Forest fire is another cause of
depletion of forests. People living near forests
should be made aware of the danger of forest fires
PROBLEMS OF DEFORESTATION
and how they cause depletion of forest resources.
Ideally one-third of the Control of Urban Growth
total land surface should
be covered with forests. When new settlements have to be constructed,
However, forests are due care should be taken to plant trees in the
under constant pressure green belts and areas along roads and railways.
because of the growth in Unplanned expansion of major cities has resulted
population, demands of in depletion of this vital natural resource.
agriculture, expansion of People cutting trees Control Overgrazing
industries and settlements. There has been
Grazing leads to destruction of forests. There
immense loss of forest areas in the world.
Commercial exploitation of temperate evergreen should be restrictions on grazing of cattle.
and coniferous forests is very high. Norway,
Sweden, Finland and Canada are major exporters WILDLIFE RESOURCES
of many forest products like paper, wood pulp Wildlife refers to animals, birds and insects which
and newsprint. In India and other monsoon live in their natural habitat. It is a significant part
countries of south and south-east Asia, rosewood, of our ecosystem. Since there are different types of
teak, sandalwood and mahogany are the valuable land features, climates, rain patterns, wind
species which have been used commercially to a patterns and other aspects which influence life,
large extent. The forest cover in India at present is we find a large variety of wildlife. No one exactly
mere 22 percent of the total land surface. knows how many different kinds of animals there
are in the world. Over a million kinds are already
MEASURES FOR CONSERVATION OF FORESTS known and catalogued. Many new animals,

Forests are an indispensable resource of our especially small ones, are discovered every year.
ecosystem. Rapid destruction of forests due to The greatest variety of wildlife is found in the
various reasons has become a major cause of tropical rainforests.
concern. So, we need to conserve this renewable
Animals range from single-celled creatures like
resource so that life can continue on the earth.
amoeba to complex types like elephant. Each part
Some essential measures of conserving forests are of the earth has its own mix of animals. Forests,
as follows : grasslands and deserts provide natural habitat for
animals.
Afforestation
A suitable habitat can meet all the needs of
One of the most
important measures of animals living there. It provides space for normal
growth and movement, food and water, places for
forest conservation is to
plant more trees. Cutting breeding and raising young-ones and shelter.
down of trees is Within the habitat, plants and animals live
together and interact. They develop their own way
unavoidable in order to
meet different needs; of life.
Tree plantation
Plant and Wildlife Resources
125