For many of us, forests are places we plan holidays to or safaris and treks into. With large tree covers and tranquil surroundings, they make a perfect setting to spot wild animals and birds, and take a break from the heat of the summer.
But, take this opportunity to not just admire the beauty of the forests, but also learn about the role they play.
Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, and cover about a third of the earth’s land. Unfortunately, 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually, with deforestation accounting for 12% to 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Should this worry us?
Take a look at the ways forests are significant to our planet’s survival.
Environment
Covering about a third of the earth, forests help maintain the ecological balance of the planet. They absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. The gas would otherwise contribute to climate change by trapping heat and adding to the greenhouse effect — preventing the heat from the earth’s atmosphere to escape and thus increasing the earth’s average temperature.
Forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial species, some of which are unique to forest ecosystems and hence threatened by deforestation. They regulate the climate through water cycles and prevent floods. Forests also serve as watersheds, meaning, they contribute water to a stream or river, and they keep the waters cool, and preventing them from drying out.
Livelihoods
According to the U.N., more than 1.6 billion people — that is more than 25% of the world’s population — rely on forest resources for their livelihoods. About 1% of the world’s GDP comes from timber production and non-timber products from forests.
For ages, humans have been dependent on forests for food, shelter, and raw materials. Materials like wood, rubber, oil, nuts, seeds, medicinal plants, fibre, bamboo, and many more are used in our everyday household objects. So, every time you use a cork, wax, dyes or sponges, eat chocolates, chew gum, and pop a tablet, remember to thank the forests.
Home green home
A majority of native or indigenous people — more than 2,000 indigenous cultures — around the world either live in forests or depend on it for their livelihood. According to a report by the Forest Peoples Programme, the World Bank estimates that about 240 million people live in predominantly forested ecosystems.
India is home to about 700 tribal groups. Many of these tribes like the Gonds of Central India, Chenchu of Andhra Pradesh, and Jarawas of Andaman Islands, live in the forests and hold important knowledge about them. Recognising their dependence on the forests and their significance in protecting them, the Government of India passed the Forest Rights Act in 2006. It grants them ownership over the land, rights over minor forest produce, and the right to protect forest and wildlife.
Amazing Amazon
The Amazon rainforest in South America is the world’s largest tropical rainforest covering over 55 lakh square km — the whole of India could fit into it and have space for Indonesia as well!
Spread across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, it makes up half of the planet’s tropical forests.
It is home to one in ten known species on Earth that includes 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species, over 370 types of reptiles, and 25 lakh different insects.
More than 350 indigenous and ethnic groups make their home in it.
The forest contributes to more than 20% of the world’s oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, since 1970, over 6,00,000 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed due to logging and encroachment. That is larger than the entire island of Madagascar!
Such severe deforestation in the Amazon region changed the forest from an absorber of carbon dioxide to an emitter of carbon dioxide that resulted in a severe drought in 2010. That year, the Amazon River was at its lowest levels for half a century and more than 20 districts declared a state of emergency.
