Need For Afforestation

This is the modern age where we have left everything behind in the mad race of development. It has made us take Mother Earth for granted. As a result, man has started cutting trees recklessly to cater to his present requirements. Trees not only provide us with fresh oxygen but also reduce pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are also helpful in reducing global warming.

It is a matter of great concern that human beings have become so unconcerned towards nature that they are cutting trees in large numbers for settlements, paper, etc. If the present trend of cutting trees is not checked then we will have to face dire consequences. It is, thus, the need of the hour to plant more and more trees. The government should start a large-scale campaign to make people aware of the importance of trees. It is only achievable if we take up the slogan of ‘Each One Plant One’ more seriously and put our thoughts into action.

Afforestation refers to the process of converting a non-forest land into a forest. Afforestation is highly important to maintain the biodiversity.

India is an emerging or developing country whereas the controlling of Carbon emission is very much challenging for the policy makers. The main reason is that India needs much more versatile industries to create jobs for unemployment youths which can directly increase the per capita income and the overall GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Large industries and power plants need a large area to set up its facilities. In India, deforestation has happened in the past for creating Infrastructure (National Highways, Airports, etc.), Industries (Steel, Power, Fast Moving Consumer Goods – FMCG, Engineering, etc.), Mining (Coal, Minerals, Metals, etc.), Oil and Gas exploration, Thermal Power plants, etc.

Hence, Afforestation is necessary to combat the issues of global warming, soil erosion, pollution, and the maintenance of biodiversity and ecological balances. There are two ways, i.e. afforestation and reforestation, the development of new forest on a non-forest land is called afforestation, but reforestation means the reestablishment of the forest cover by either naturally or artificially (manual planting of trees).Trees useswater and carbon-dioxide (CO2) to convert it intoorganic matter (wood) and oxygen. Thus, trees acts as the natural air-purifiers and helps relieve the environment. Considering the need of afforestation in India, many government, private and NGOs are engaged to create new forests through afforestation method to purify theenvironment, maximize the carbon capture, and control the soil erosion.

The total forest area was 40.48 million hectare in 1950 and then it was increased to 67.47 million hectare forest area in 1980. And finally 69 million hectare area was under forest according to the report of 2006. So massive 70.5% increase of area undercover forests had been seen between the periodsof 1950 to 2006 due to afforestation.In India, 23% of overall land is under forest areas which are grouped into 5 major categories i.e.

1. Subtropical Dry Deciduous (38.2%)
2. Tropical Moist Deciduous (30.3%)
3. Subtropical Thorn (6.7%)
4. Tropical Wet Evergreen forests (5.8%)
5. Other categories (Pine, Temperate and Alpine, Tropical semi evergreen) – 17.5%

A large number of trees and plants are planted during the afforestation process. Also it helps the environment by reducing the CO2 level from atmosphere. Also, the fruit bearing trees becomes the source of meal for a large country like India.