Deforestation refers to the large-scale cutting of different tree species in the forests. Deforestation leads to soil erosion, flash floods, the risk of high intensity natural calamities, a decrease in the concentration of oxygen (O2) in the atmosphere, and an increase in CO2, which causes an increase in temperature during the summer. In fact, forests play a necessary role in balancing natural phenomena’s.
It includes CO2 and O2. This very phenomenon is necessary for the survival of life on this earth and utterly has no alternative for it. I agree that in our system every subject is important and has an eminent influence in our society, like economics, education, political science, mathematics, history, and all the remaining ones. But one thing is true and has been experienced by the experts: when it comes to environment-related issues, to resolve or sort them out, we need scientific experts because, in this universe, the science field has a colossal influence by several means. In our society, there are selfish kind folk who are damaging, destroying, and smuggling forest assets for their personal means. Actually, the fact is that forests are not the trees upright there; forests are the golden assets of the nation.
There are intellectual classes in our society as well, but they are bound by certain limits. Forests are the gold-like assets for the country and the state, and they play an immense role in the environmental balance. Government administration or the concerned forest department should come out of their nests and initiate the counselling programmes for the general public. Advertising hoardings should be displayed at a centrally located place to raise awareness and solicit feedback. For the last couple of years, I have visited several forest areas in different districts like Budgam, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. It is very heart wrenching and painful that in the past, deforestation has taken place at a very large scale and forests look deserted, which explains the ruthless act done by the selfish people for merely the sake of a few countable currency notes. As we know and are utterly aware, there are documentaries, poets circulate in their poems, the film industry is mentioned in the songs, and singers sing in their songs every bit of the forest beautifying nature. The ravishing green tipped leaves, cylindrical upright trunks of the pine trees, and mesmerising, whispering, roaring, buzzing sound of the dragon fly In fact, and forests beautify our motherland, cater to our exciting movements, and bestow on us exceptional recreational scenes. In India, 7, 12,249 square kilometres of the total geographical area are under forests, and in Jammu & Kashmir, 20,230 square kilometres of the total geographical area are under forests. The Pir Panjal forest range in Jammu and Kashmir is rich in different kinds of forest trees, plays a pivotal role in terms of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, and provides shelter to several animal species there.
Pir Panjal is a group of mountains in the lesser Himalayas region, running from east-southeast to northwest across the Indian territories of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and then Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir. The average elevation varies from 1400 m to 4100 m. The Himalaya’s show a gradual elevation towards the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Pir Panjal is the largest range of the lesser Himalayas, near the banks of the Sutlej River, it dissociates itself from the Himalayas and forms a divide between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab on the other. The renowned Galyat Mountains are also located in this range.
The region is connected to the valley of Kashmir via the Mughal Road, which used to be the historical connection of Kashmir with other states of India. Forests used for recreational activities: Since centuries, forests have been used for recreational activities like summer camps during the scorching heat of July and August. Forests are used for trekking, mountaineering, hunting, etc. Forests are being used for research by researchers as well, and for a long time, the students of the higher levels who are pursuing their doctorate degrees from the universities have been fond of the forests, as they get, what they can’t get anywhere else in such large quantities (herbs, shrubs, grass, trees, plants, and several other varieties they want).Uses of forests: As already mentioned in this article, the importance of the forests goes beyond helping the balance in the food chains and food webs.
They also provide shelter to the wild animals and birds, act as the hub of medicinal plants, provide grazing space to the tribal nomads, and in some places, people who are living nearby the forests also get several benefits without harming them. What causes the deforestation: deforestation takes place when there is an external involvement that disturbs the forest-covered areas for means of smuggling, constructional purposes, urbanization, timber demand for bridges, buildings, etc. Suggestion: reforestation is the best alternative for areas where trees have been cut down. But it takes too long to get into its original shape. So we should be aware of the people who try to harm the forest through local bodies, and government administration should pay attention to this section frequently, hold public awareness programmes regularly, and deploy sufficient manpower during night hours until our society gets vigilant and educated regarding the importance of the forest and its uses.
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