FORESTRY AN OVERVIEW

Forests are a major factor of environmental conservation and control extremes of heat and cold, rendering the climate more equable. This effect is particularly marked on the main continental land masses within the tropics as in the north Indian plains where during the long dry seasons the hot dry surface transfers heat energy to the wind. The denuded, over grazed and over-cropped areas in such situations increase the desiccation of land immediately downwind. In such circumstances, forests have an appreciable effect on the climate. Forests also tend to increase the relative humidity of the air and retard evaporation. In this way forests afford protection to animals and crops against strong, cold or hot and dry winds, and rays of the sun and prevent desiccation and vegetative retrogression.

Forests tend to increase local precipitation, atleast to the extent of increasing the number of rainy days. Forests enrich the soil with fallen leaves and debris and increase its depth, porosity and water storage capacity. In hilly terrains, forests regulate the water supply, feeding springs in dry weather, promoting a perennial instead of a seasonal stream flow and tending to prevent sudden and violent rises of water during rains and floods. Forests help to prevent soil erosion, landslips, shifting sands and silting up and consequent overflowing of rivers, thus reducing the dangers of floods. On level ground, forests have a draining action; the clearing of forests on wet land increases its swampiness, which in arid regions it may increase the salinity of streams.

Forests supply timber, fuel, pulpwood and other varied products, which in turn support major industrial activity in various sectors and provide large-scale employment.

Finally, forests are the home of wildlife, and afford important aesthetic and tourist values. They have vital biological importance because of the floral and fauna associated with them.