Thursday, June 20, 2019

FOREST ESSAY – 3 (600 WORDS)

FOREST ESSAY – 3 

A vast land covered with trees, plants and shrubs and mostly home for different species of wild animals is referred to as a forest. Forests are an essential part of the Earth’s ecological system. They help in maintaining the planet’s climate, purifies the atmosphere, protects the watersheds, are a natural habitat for the animals and a major source of wood that is used for the production of several products used in our day to day life.
India – Among the Countries with Largest Forest Cover
India is among the top ten forest-rich countries in the world with the others being Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, United States of America, Indonesia and Sudan. These countries along with India constitute around 67% of the total forest area in the world.
Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra are among the states that have the largest forest cover in India.
Top Forests in India
India is known to encompass several lush green forests. Many of these have even been turned into tourists spots. People from far and wide visit these to experience the wilderness and enjoy the serenity they offer. Here is a look at some of the top forests in the country:
  1. Sundarbans, West Bengal
The Sundarban forests located in West Bengal top the list when it comes to the most alluring forests in the country. These are home to the white tiger which is a variant of the royal Bengal tiger.
  1. Gir Forest, Gujarat
Spread across an area of more than 1,412 sq km in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, the Gir forest is home for the Asiatic Lion.
  1. Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
Established in the year 1936, this place is a delight for the wildlife lovers. This is one such forest in the country that is known to attract the maximum number of tourists from around the world.
  1. Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Ranthambore located near the town of Sawai Madhopur in the Indian state of Rajasthan is home to leopards, tigers and marsh crocodiles. It is also known for the Padam Talao Lake that grows abundance of water lilies.
  1. Khasi Forests, Meghalaya
This place in northeast India is known for its lush greenery. The Khasi forests receive high amount of rainfall and remains green all round the year.
Forestry in India
Forestry in India is a major rural industry. It is a means of livelihood for a large number of people. India is known to produce a vast range of processed forest products. These do not just include those made from wood but also substantial amount of non-wood products. Its non-wood products include essential oils, medicinal herbs, resins, flavours, fragrances and aroma chemicals, gums, latex, handicrafts, incense sticks and thatching materials.
The Problem of Deforestation
Deforestation is the process of clearing trees from a large part of the forest for purposes such as farming and construction of buildings. Trees are never re-planted on such a land.
Statistics reveal that around half of the forests around the world have been destroyed ever since the evolution of the industrial age. The number is likely to increase in the times to come as industrialists are continually using the forest lands for personal gain. Large number of trees is also cut for producing various goods made from wood and other components of the trees.
Deforestation has a negative impact on the environment. Some of the problems it causes are soil erosion, disruption of the water cycle, climate change and loss of biodiversity.
Conclusion
Forests are a boon for the mankind. India especially has been blessed with some of the most beautiful forests that are home for many rarer species of birds and animals. The importance of forests must be recognized and the government must take measures to control the issue of deforestation.

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