Forest Resources EVS Study Notes, Download PDF

Environmental Studies is a broad, multi-disciplinary field that integrates various branches such as chemistry, physical science, life science, agriculture, health, and sanitary engineering. This subject can be engaging, with 30 questions typically included in the CTET and other State TET Exams. To prepare effectively for the CTET Exam, it is recommended to review NCERT textbooks from classes 1 to 8. The following article provides an overview of Environmental Studies topics and highlights some intriguing facts related to the subject.

FOREST RESOURCES:

Many animals need forests to live and survive. Forests are very important and grow in many places around the world. They are an ecosystem which includes many plants and animals. Temperature and rainfall are the two most important things for forests.

USES OF FORESTS:

1. Commercial uses :

• Forests provide us a large number of commercial goods which include timber, firewood, pulpwood, food items, gum, resins, non-edible oils, rubber, fibers, lac, bamboo canes, fodder, medicine, drugs and many more items, the total worth of which is estimated to be more than 300 billion per year.
• Many forest lands are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, and recreation and for development of dams.

2. Ecological uses :

The ecological services provided by our forests may be summed up as follows:

• Production of oxygen: The trees produce oxygen by photosynthesis which is so vital for life on this earth. They are rightly called as earth’s lungs.
• Reducing global warming: The main greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) is absorbed by the forests as a raw material for photosynthesis. Thus forest canopy acts as a sink for CO thereby reducing the problem of global warming caused by greenhouse gas CO­₂.
• Wild life habitat: Forests are the homes of millions of wild animals and plants. About 7 million species are found in the tropical forests alone.
• Regulation of hydro-logical cycle : Forested watersheds act like giant sponges, absorbing the rainfall, slowing down the runoff and slowly releasing the water for recharge of springs. About 50-80 %of the moisture in the air above tropical forests comes from their transpiration which helps in bringing rains.
• Soil Conservation : Forests bind the soil particles tightly in their roots and prevent soil erosion. They also act as wind breaks.
• Pollution moderators : Forests can absorb many toxic gases and can help in keeping the air pure. They have also been reported to absorb noise and thus help in preventing air and noise pollution.

OVER EXPLOITATION OF FORESTS:

Excessive use of fuel wood and charcoal, expansion of urban, agricultural and industrial areas and overgrazing have together led to over-exploitation of our forests leading to their rapid degradation.

• DEFORESTATION

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest. This can include clearing the land for agriculture or grazing, or using the timber for fuel, construction or manufacturing. Forests cover more than 30% of the Earth’s land surface, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Major Causes of Deforestation:

(i) Shifting cultivation:

• Definition: A form of agriculture where land is cleared of vegetation, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned for a new area to allow natural fertility restoration.
• Environmental Impact: Trees and leaves are burned, and ash is added to the soil to increase fertility. Over time, the land loses its fertility and becomes unsuitable for crops.
• Geographic Prevalence: This practice is common in northeastern India and, to a lesser extent, in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Contribution to Deforestation: This method accounts for nearly half of the annual forest clearing in these regions.

(ii) Mining :

• Oil and mining of coal require a large amount of forest land. Construction of roads leads to deforestation as they provide the way to remote land. The waste that comes out from mining pollutes the environment and affects the nearby species.

(iii) Logging :

• Illegal logging activities are very common that destroy the livelihoods of the people depending on forests. Wood-based industries like paper, match-sticks, furniture need a substantial amount of wood supply. Wood is used as fuel most commonly and so large amount of trees are cut down for fuel supplies. Firewood and charcoal are used as fuel.

(iv) Urbanization:

• Massive destruction of forests occurs for various development projects like hydroelectric projects, big dams, road construction, mining etc.
• As the population grows, the needs of people increases which further leads to deforestation. Forests shrink to a great extent to meet the requirements like for construction of roads, development of houses, mineral exploitation and expansion of industries.

(v) Forest Fires:

• We lose a large number of trees each year due to fires in the forest in various portions worldwide. This happens due to extreme summers and winters. The fire caused, by man or nature, results in huge loss of forest cover.

(vi) Overgrazing:

• The poor in the tropics mainly rely on wood as a source of fuel leading to loss of tree cover and the cleared lands are turned into the grazing lands. Overgrazing by the cattle leads to further degradation of these lands.

Major Consequences of Deforestation:

Deforestation has far reaching consequences, which may be outlined as follows:

• It endangers numerous wildlife species by destroying their natural habitats.
• Gases like methane and carbon dioxide trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to climate changes. Trees play a role in mitigating this by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen and water, thus impacting global warming.
• Biodiversity declines, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity.
• The hydrological cycle is disrupted, affecting rainfall patterns.
• Soil erosion and the depletion of soil fertility become more severe.
• Deforestation causes land erosion, as trees help stabilize mountain surfaces. This leads to a sudden rise in river water levels, which can result in flooding.
• In mountainous regions, deforestation often triggers landslides.

Solution to Deforestation:

Trees play a vital role in protecting our environment in several ways so we should protect the forest:

• Enforce a ban on tree cutting and promote the planting of new trees.
• Implement and enforce regulations and laws at both organizational and governmental levels to address deforestation.
• Raise awareness and conduct educational campaigns to inform the public about the impacts of deforestation.

CTET EVS Study Notes PDF

Candidates preparing for the CTET Exam must check out the CTET EVS Study Notes PDF Link for easy access to study material on the Forest Resources Topic under the CTET EVS Section.

Click Here to Access CTET EVS Study Notes PDF on Forest Resources

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