FOREST RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION
A natural resource is anything people can use which comes from nature. People do not make natural resources, but gather them from the earth. Examples of natural resources are air, water, wood solar energy, wind energy , hydro-electric energy , coal and minerals. Forest resources are one of the most important and emminent natural resource.

INDIAN SCENARIO
According to the state of forest report in 1999 the total forest cover in india was estimated to be 6,37,293km2 which is 20.55% of the total geographic area of the country the following chart shows the forest cover in india:

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON DENSITY

The following table shows the types of forest in india with detailed statistics:

DENSE FOREST
Dense forest is the area of forest where vegetation is thick and canopy cover is dense.it occupies about 11.8% of total forest area in india.

OPEN FOREST

Open forest is where forest cover is not very dense and area is more open.it makes about 7.76% of indian forest.

MANGROOVE FOREST
Mangroves are short and dense trees that tolerate and adopt themselves well to both saline and freshwater and grow in coastal area.

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS
Forest are the major supporters of humanlife. Forests are of utmost importance ecologically and economically. Thus they are inseparable part of our life.

ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE
Forest help to a great extent in the economic progress of the country. They support many industries such as
Wood industry Paper industry

It supports tourism and thus provides employment to large number of people. It also provide fruits, flowers, nuts, other medicinal herbs of high economic value.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
The forest products having economic importance are Wood The wood is used as fuel For about 1.5 million people around the world it is the primary source of energy. The annual consumption of fuel wood is around 1000 million cubic meters.

 Timber Timbers are used for making plywood, windows, furniture, sports goods etc. It is also a raw material for paper, rayon, etc

 other forest products It provides resin, gum, honey, medicinal oils, commercial flowers and syrups Bamboos are used in roofing flooring and in paper industry Lac, honey, wax, silk etc are obtained from forest insects Oils are used in drugs, cosmetics etc.

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
Trees help to cool and refresh the air we breath. They moderate the air temperature. Trees protect soil against erosion. They serve as shelter for large number of biological species and spare them from becoming extinct. Trees intercept rainwater and stop flooding, filters toxins and helps in many ways.

TYPES OF FOREST IN INDIA

The different types of forest in india based on types of trees are Moist tropical forest Dry tropical forest Montane sub tropical forest Montane temperate forest Sub alpine forest

 Among 16 different types of forest in country, the most common is Tropical dry-38.7% Tropical moist-30.9% Tropical thorn-6.9% These account for more than 76.5% forest in india. Nearly 96% of forest are owned by government,2.6% by corporate sector and rest is in private ownership.

DRY TROPICAL FOREST

MOIST TROPICAL FOREST

TROPICAL THORN FOREST

DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non forest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to agriculture or urban use.

CAUSE
The following are the major causes for deforestation Shifting agriculture Commercial lagging Mining and multipurpose projects Overgrazing Expansion of agribusiness Forest fires, pests etc

EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION
Deforestation adversely and directly affect the environment and the human beings in following ways: Soil erosion Expansion of desserts Decrease in rainfall Loss of fertile land Effect on climate Lowering of water table Economic losses Loss of flora and fauna Loss of bio-diversity Loss of medical plants Environmental changes Change in living habits

DEFORESTATION IN INDIA
According to national forest policy, 33% of the geographical area must be under forest cover but in india it is nearly 20% and in gujarat about 10%. Nearly 1% of land is turning barren every year due to deforestation. Deforestation and forest degradation is going on at a very high scale in india mainly due to overpopulation.

The mother earth needs us. We help her now or never.