Question

Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forest.

Answer 1

Hint: Forest conservation is a very important practice for maintaining forested areas for the benefit and sustainability of human beings and ecosystems.

Complete answer:
Forests play a vital role in the sustainable development of the environment and the prevention of global warming. Forests have a variety of functions, including land conservation, conservation of wildlife, securing of water sources, production of flowers, fruits, and fodder, production of oxygen through photosynthesis, control of climate change, and creation of natural environmental conditions essential to human existence.
The total forest cover on the earth accounts for 60% of the total land cover but with the rising population and indiscriminate use of resources, large areas of forests have been cleared to allow farming, mining, construction, and other activities to support and enhance human existence. At present, only about 30 percent of forests cover the total land. With such an alarming rate of deforestation and exhaustion, we must take some measures to protect wildlife, the environment, and all the living things that depend on forests for their survival.

Some of the measure taken in wake of conservation of forest are:
- Prevention of deforestation- With the advent of industrialization, several trees have been cut at an alarming rate for raw materials and various other purposes. This felling of trees can be regulated by selective cutting, clear-cutting, and shelterwood cutting.
- Forest fire- Forest fires are one of the common causes of loss of forests naturally or artificially. It burns and clears huge areas of land for commercial purposes. Once cleared, there can be no vegetation. The latest fire fighting techniques should be adopted to conserve the forest. However, forest fires also favor the ecosystem by replenishing nutrients in the soil from dead and decaying matter.
- Afforestation- More trees should be planted to increase the forest cover according to the geographical and climatic conditions of a particular region and proper care should be taken during the growth of trees.
- Prevention of exploitation of forest and forest products- It is necessary for the conservation of forest.
- Prevention from pests and pathogens- The existing forests should be protected from diseases by spraying chemicals, antibiotics, or the development of pest-resistant strains of trees.

Note: The conservation of forests and wildlife is maintained and regulated by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). It was established on 5th October 1948.