Abstract :

This Project deals with Deforestation: Its causes effects and measures to control it. Introduction to
deforestation consists of current scenario faced by us while the discussion contains causes and
effects of deforestation on human beings and on environment. And the last part that is Conclusion
contains measures to control deforestation from micro to macro level with summery of the whole
topic.

Forests cover almost a third of the earth’s land surface providing many environmental benefits
including a major role in the hydrologic cycle, soil conservation, prevention of climate change and
preservation of biodiversity . Forest resources can provide long-term national economic benefits.
Sufficient evidence is available that the whole world is facing an environmental crisis on account of
heavy deforestation. For years remorseless destruction of forests has been going on and we have
not been able to comprehend the dimension until recently. Nobody knows exactly how much of the
world’s rainforests have already been destroyed and continue to be razed each year.

Forests are very important for the existence of humanity but without taking steps toward rejuvenating them
and planting new trees, human beings are destroying existing forests. Deforestation is happening on a
faster rate than reforestation, that is, tree plantation is not happening at the speed at which the forests are
being cut. If deforestation continues like this, the summer season will become harsher; there will be dry
weather all around the year, apart from increase in floods, landslides and storms, etc. By causing negative
changes to the environment, deforestation is already affecting human life at a large scale. Thus our little
planet called Earth is fast moving towards a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.

Discussion :

There are various reasons for deforestation, some of which are mentioned below:

1. Agricultural Expansion

A combination of forces is responsible for deforestation and the biggest among them is agricultural
expansion. Forests are being cleared on an alarming rate due to rising global demand of food grain and the
commodities like soybeans and palm oil. Since the beginning of agriculture, there has been a mass
reduction in the forests worldwide for agricultural expansion. As per an estimate, over 40% of the forests
have already been cleaned worldwide to obtain land to meet the demands for agriculture and wood.
Agricultural expansion has left the world much devoid of its original forests. Forests have been cleared on
a large scale and converted into gardens, agricultural lands. Likewise, forest areas have been destroyed in a
big way to expand the agricultural land to eradicate the hunger of the rapidly growing population in the
monsoon areas of south and south-east Asia.
3. Growth in Population

Deforestation is taking place at a faster rate to cater to explosive growth in population. Due to rapid
increase in human population in developing countries, it has become necessary that the vast areas of forests
should be cleaned and farmed so that the needs of the growing population can be met. Demand for timber
is increasing day by day. As a result, there is a steady increase in tree cutting. Equatorial mangrove forests
are being eliminated by 20 million hectares annually.

More and more collection of wood for fodder and burning wood by the rural masses in developing and
undeveloped countries also leads to depletion of forests.

8. Jhum (Shifting) Cultivation

Jhum Agriculture is one of the major reasons for the decay and destruction of forests in the mountainous
areas of southern and south-eastern Asia. Under this practice of agriculture, the land is cleaned by burning
forests on hillsides. When the productivity of that land decreases, farmers shift to another place, burning
the jungle again.

5. Livestock Ranching and Logging

Forests in major parts of the world have already been cleared for livestock ranching, or cattle farming.
Cattle ranchers have burned huge tracts of rainforests converting them into pastures for the cattle. They
clear vast swaths of forest lands for cattle grazing. Later when the land prices increase, they sell the land
and make profit. This kind of deforestation is very common in developing countries.

Forests have decayed due to grazing of animals in the normal density forests of hot and subtropical and dry
and semi-arid regions. It is known that in the developing and undeveloped countries of these areas, milch
animals feed on bushes, and plants, scattered on the ground and in open forests. They also trample upon
the land with their hooves so that plants do not bloom there. In most countries, large herds of sheep have
completely wiped out the grass.
 Logging is another major driver of deforestation. Some greedy people are indulging in activities leading to
deforestation to earn money from wood. Illegal logging operations which are very common in developing
countries also destroy the livelihood of the people who depend on forests.

The people are cutting forests for oil and coal mining operations as well. Large-scale mining operations,
result into major deforestation through clearing of forests. The construction of roads into the forests for
such purposes is also responsible for deforestation.

9. Mining Operations
The people are cutting forests for oil and coal mining operations as well. Large-scale mining operations,
result into major deforestation through clearing of forests. The construction of roads into the forests for
such purposes is also responsible for deforestation.

Our planet once housed an estimated maximum of 15 million people

in prehistory. It now sustains a whopping 7 billion and counting. With
overpopulation, there is an increase in global needs and wants, leading
to expansion and deforestation. The planet’s forests are being
devastated at an even ratewith population growth.

Effects :

2. Soil Destruction and Infertility

3. Clearing trees make the soil bare, exposing it to the sun’s heat. On this account,
soil moisture is dried up and the bacteria that aids in the decomposition of
organic matter are killed. Sun’s heat denatures the nutrients responsible for soil
fertility. Eventually, the soil loses its fertility potential and becomes unsuitable
for supporting the growth of plant or vegetation.

3. Reduction in the Quality of Life

Soil erosion as an eventuality of deforestation can also lead to silt depositions

into lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. This can diminish the local water quality and
predisposes the populations in the area to poor health. Particularly, the contents of the
soil can contain chemicals or other toxic pollutants which are deposited in the nearby
waters by surface rainwater runoff.

4. Loss of Biodiversity and Species Extinction

About 80% of the world’s plants and animals live and depend on forests and other
vegetation cover for survival. This includes shelter, food, adaptation, and evolution.
Therefore, destroying the forest directly translates to damaging their habitats and
natural support systems. Clearing of trees pushes away wild animals further into the
wild exposing them to predators and destroys some of their adaptable habitats that
eventually lead to extinction. Many others remain endangered. About 50 to 100
species are lost on a daily basis as a result of the destruction of their habitats. Many
traditional and medicinal plants among other values trees have also vanished from the
face of the earth resulting in negative consequences for the local communities relying
on them for medicine and hunting.

5. Effects on the Indigenous People

6. Deforestation affects indigenous people culturally and physically. The endless
human expedition to conquer the forests by cutting down trees for various
economic purposes has evicted indigenous people from their habitats.
Deforestation interferes with their adaptative nature and erodes their cultures.
Governments have at times expelled people from their indigenous lands for
various economic reasons. Reports also indicate that the culture and life of
some indigenous communities who have never come into contact with the rest
of the humans are threatened because of nonstop deforestation.

Conclusion
Forests are very essential for the existence of life on the earth. They play a vital role in maintaining the
water cycle by providing rain. Still, their existence is in danger due to increasing human greed.
Deforestation has emerged as a major environmental and social issue which has assumed the shape of a
powerful monster. Creating ecological and environmental imbalances, deforestation makes human life
miserable. The growing rate of deforestation in itself is a warning for saving the existence of life on Earth.
Conservation of forests is important for fresh and healthy supply of oxygen as well as to reduce the amount
of carbon dioxide in the environment. Above, we have studied the reasons and causes of deforestation; all-
out efforts must be made to find a solution of this growing problem. To live and enjoy a healthy and
peaceful life in a pollution-free, healthy environment, the forests are extremely important for us as well as
for our future generations. To preserve life and to protect the natural cycle of the environment, besides the
protection of animal sanctuaries, we have to prevent deforestation as well as plant the trees on a mass
scale. One easy way to combat deforestation is to plant a tree. But you can take it one step
further by making sure the choices you make at home, at the store, at work, and on the menu
don’t contribute to the problem. Here’s what you can do about deforestation.

1. Plant a tree.
2. Go paperless.
3. Recycle and buy recycled products.
4. Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood and wood products.
5. Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible.

https://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/5-ways-to-stop-deforestation 5 ways
to stop deforestation
We need trees for so many reasons ... here's how to keep them
around.
JENN SAVEDGE
January 12, 2009, 9:42 p.m.

https://www.eartheclipse.com/environment/devastating-effects-deforestation.html

https://www.indiacelebrating.com/environmental-issues/reasons-and-causes-of-deforestation/
REASONS AND CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION
Posted by IndiaCelebratingTeam | May 9, 2017 | Environmental Issues | 0 |