Extensive deforestation is becoming a threat to biodiversity

Ramblings :)

Forests were occupying 24% of our country's land at the time of independence ( about which the then environmental activists were worried that it was less) but now it is arround 16% .

This decrease is leading to many adverse effects like -Loss to Biodiversity ( many species are becoming extinct every day), increase in temperatures , soil erosion , floods, increased pollution levels etc there by effecting humans in many ways.

We , who claim to be civilised have not learnt the great n real empathy and compassion tribals had from generations. Examples to the extent of my knowledge are like -when tribals want to take honey from hives , they will make sure that they will not kill bees and would not cut more than 40% of the hive so that bees can easily built it back and can survive . It is mutually beneficial. Another example is of tribal agriculture in forests- when they shift from one place to another , they will prepare a small forest land for temporary agriculture by cutting trees, scaping the land etc . But after they are done with a crop or two, they will shift to another place and leave this place for more than 20 years so that it will be a thick forest and fertile land again.

In this process, they make sure that they will not kill any animal or bird. Even if by mistake they come to a place which was used by them or others for the same purpose in recent past, they will not cut tress to make sure that they are not damaging forests.

Mining, constructions etc are happening where they are not supposed to be. Harmful wastes from them like chemicals are being released to forests and rivers there by causing a damage to the existence of them. A good example of such is floods in recent past in Utharakhand. From generations, locals there know and have been telling that any large construction in that soil can lead to floods. In 18th century itself , the then British Govt studied conditions there and brought an act that no large constructions should happen in that hilly area. But in spite of repeated warnings from many activists- power plants were constructed by clearing small forests and rocky lands which could have prevented the flood to great extent and would have saved thousands of lives.

Human can live and develop on the guide lines of nature but not by going by horn fight with it.

Rowdyism with Nature with not work!

Thanks

Gopi Gandi