Sansad TV: Nature And You- Saving FOREST, Why the Urgency? | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Forests are often described as the Earth's lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen essential for our breathing and bodily processes. Their significance is immeasurable; they sustain life by providing air, shelter, and resources. Besides supporting wildlife and human livelihoods, forests safeguard watersheds, prevent soil erosion, and combat climate change. They influence weather patterns, humidity, climate stability, and air quality.

Economic and Social Benefits

• Increased forest cover means more water resources for farmers and future generations. 
• As Rabindranath Tagore noted, forest life represents the pinnacle of cultural evolution. 
• Trees act as carbon sinks, mitigating climate change, and their roots help absorb rainwater, reducing soil erosion and property damage. 
• Forests yield natural medicines and contribute to the economy through employment, product processing, and trade. 
• They offer recreational, aesthetic, cognitive, and spiritual benefits.

Forest Decline

• While some states maintain high forest cover, many northeastern states have witnessed a decline. 
• Soil degradation in Indian forests heightens the risk of fires and groundwater depletion. Poor soil quality limits forests' ability to sequester carbon.

Challenges to Protect Forests in India

• Population growth exerts pressure on forests for resources and agricultural expansion. 
• Conflicts arise between forest conservation and developmental projects. 
• Forest fires, both natural and human-induced, pose a threat. 
• Plant diseases, insects, and pests cause significant forest losses.

Key Facts

• Forest protection is governed by the Forest Conservation Act (1980) and the establishment of protected areas. 
• International Day of Forests, observed on March 21 annually, promotes forest awareness.

Green India Mission

• Launched in 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, this mission aims to restore and enhance India's forest cover, responding to climate change through adaptation and mitigation. 
• The objective is to increase forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve existing cover by 5 million hectares in 10 years.

Challenges

• Climate change affects sapling survival, leading to the expansion of arid regions and desertification.

Way Forward

• Adopt participatory afforestation models, integrating local knowledge to regenerate and manage forests. 
• Prioritize protecting natural ecosystems in watershed areas to address freshwater challenges. 
• Revise the Indian Forest Service curriculum to align with current situations. 
• Implement Green Credits interventions to promote afforestation and sustainable agro-forestry, alleviating poverty for communities engaged in these practices.