Deforestation
Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forest land for use such as arable land, pasture, urban use, logged area, or wasteland. Generally, the removal or permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands results in a degraded environment with reduced biodiversity. In many countries, massive deforestation is ongoing and is shaping climate and geography adversely. Deforestation results in declines in habitat and biodiversity, wood for fuel and industrial use, and quality of life. There are many causes, ranging from slow forest degradation to sudden and catastrophic clear-cutting, slash-and-burn, urban development, acid rain, and wildfires. Deforestation can be the result of the deliberate removal of forest cover for agriculture, commercial logging or urban development without sufficient reforestation, or it can be a consequence of grazing animals, primarily for agriculture. Currently, 12 million hectares of forests are cleared annually which is of great concern. Almost all of this deforestation occurs in the moist forests and open woodlands of the tropics. Alteration of local and global climates affects through disruption of the carbon cycle and the water cycle, soil erosion, silting of water courses, lakes and dams, extinction of species which depend on the forest for survival and above all desertification. The integrity of our national forests is gravely threatened by the impact of deforestation. Hence, government should adopt concrete measures to bring an immediate end to illegal logging and adopt policies that will reduce the consumption of wood and paper products and increase the use of recycled materials.
Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forest land for use such as arable land, pasture, urban use, logged area, or wasteland. Generally, the removal or permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands results in a degraded environment with reduced biodiversity. In many countries, massive deforestation is ongoing and is shaping climate and geography adversely. Deforestation results in declines in habitat and biodiversity, wood for fuel and industrial use, and quality of life. There are many causes, ranging from slow forest degradation to sudden and catastrophic clear-cutting, slash-and-burn, urban development, acid rain, and wildfires. Deforestation can be the result of the deliberate removal of forest cover for agriculture, commercial logging or urban development without sufficient reforestation, or it can be a consequence of grazing animals, primarily for agriculture. Currently, 12 million hectares of forests are cleared annually which is of great concern. Almost all of this deforestation occurs in the moist forests and open woodlands of the tropics. Alteration of local and global climates affects through disruption of the carbon cycle and the water cycle, soil erosion, silting of water courses, lakes and dams, extinction of species which depend on the forest for survival and above all desertification. The integrity of our national forests is gravely threatened by the impact of deforestation. Hence, government should adopt concrete measures to bring an immediate end to illegal logging and adopt policies that will reduce the consumption of wood and paper products and increase the use of recycled materials.