Why We Need To Plant Trees, Now!!

Today, we have come a long way in terms of advancement in science and technology. However, along with these positive evolutions, materialistic and industrial attitudes are on the rise too. In this condition, the materialistic greed of man has led to the deterioration of a major chunk of our natural environment- our forests.

Man, being the most intelligent animal on earth, has long learnt how to use the things that nature has to offer for his benefit. For centuries, human beings have mowed down forests for their own sake. We continue to clear forests even today, for the so-called growth and development of the society. Any development at the cost of tress is purely temporary and would be hard on us in the long run.

According to the forest policy of India, 33% of India’s land should be covered by forests. However, in reality, only a measly 22% of India’s land comes under forests. This is extremely wrong on our behalf. The numbers of benefits that trees provide are numerous. They play a major role in determining the amount of rainfall that will be received by a region. More plantations in any area will lead to a better monsoon. However, due to deterioration of our jungles, we have been receiving erratic rainfalls throughout parts of India. This is a very grave problem because fewer showers would mean low yield of crop in the agriculture-based country of India.

Our country is rich in biodiversity and houses a wide number of species of plants as well as animals. Due to cutting down of trees in forested areas, many species of flora and fauna are disappearing permanently from the face of the earth. We should conserve our forests, so that different living beings inhabit the area without any threat. These organisms help in striking an ecological balance in the environment. Not only these creatures, but many tribes and communities are dependent on the forests for their livelihoods too. They generate incomes for filling their stomachs through forest produce, which includes wild fruits, wax, honey, medicinal plants, and other goods. Leaving no trees would mean depriving these factions of society of their daily bread.

Not only this, but trees provide us the most essential element, which is necessary for life-Oxygen. They have been rightly denoted the ‘Lungs of our Lands’. Less forest cover throughout the globe has led to higher levels of Carbon di-oxide, leading to Global Warming in return. Global warming and climate change are two major threats that our society faces today and we must do our best to refute these negative happenings by increasing our forest cover.

We, as citizens of India should understand the gravity of this issue and do our best to help the environment. Though policies determining the future of forests are framed by the government, we should bear in mind that, WE are the people who make up the government. We can also help individually by planting as many trees as possible. Only when we will take into consideration our forests, will we be able to cement a major gap in India’s progress. So come on, let us do our best for Mother Nature and make this world a greener and better place to be.