Deforestation

Definition

PC:- Mahesh Chovatiya

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• Indiscriminate felling of trees results in urbanization, industrialization, mining operation and use of wood for domestic and other purposes have caused heavy depletion of forest .This phenomenon is known as deforestation.

Causes

·         Shifting cultivation

·         Development project

·         Fuel and raw materials requirements

·         Over grazing

·         Defense and communication activities

·         Palm oil cultivation

Shifting cultivation:-  In this practice a patch of land is cleared, vegetation is burned and ash is mixed with the soil thus adding nutrients to the soil. This patch of land is used raising crops for 2-3 years and yield is modest.

Then this area is abandoned and is left to recover its fertility. The same practice is repeated elsewhere on fresh piece of land.

Developed project:-   Development projects like hydro-electric projects, large dams and reservoirs,  laying down of railway lines and roads are not only extremely beneficial, but they are also linked with several environmental problems. Many of these projects requires immense deforestation.

Fuel and raw materials requirements: -    The increasing demand for firewood with ever growing population increases greater pressure on the forests which result in increased intensity of deforestation.

over grazing:-  Over grazing of cattle leads to over grazing.

Defense and communication activities:- Military and defense activities in forest For examples - Land used for military bunkers, training camps.

Palm oil cultivation:- Palm oil has emerged as main global source of vegetable oil due to adequate availability versatility in usage, higher yield and lower cost, as compared to other vegetable oils. Palm oil is generally sold in the name of vegetable oil.

Global edible oil consumption has grown from 123 mn metric tonnes in 2007 to 158 mn metric in 2012. This growth has been fuelled by increase population, incomes and per capita consumption especially in developing countries like India, Indonesia and China. Palm oil at 48.7 mn metric is the largest consumed edible oil in the World.

·          Environmental impacts of palm oil production

       1.       Deforestation

       2.       Loss of biodiversity

       3.       Climate change

1. Deforestation:-   Substantial tracts of tropical forest are cleared to make room for large plantations to service an ever increasing demand for palm oil. Studies show that the forest cover on Island of Borneo had declined from 73.7 % in 1985 to 50.4% in 2005, while the projected cover in 2020 was 32.6 %. Loss of forest cover in Sumatra, Indonesia has also been very alarming.

2. Loss of Biodiversity:-  Concerns about biodiversity loss are directly related to loss of natural forest. In particular, Orangutan habitats have been threatened by palm oil production. In 1900, there were around 315000 Orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia. Today, fewer than 50000 exist in the wild, split into small groups. The palm oil industry is the biggest threat to Orangutans, the species like to be driven to extinction within 12 years unless the devastation of their natural habitat is halted.

 3. Climate change:-  15% of all human induced greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation, forest degradation and peat land emissions. As land on mineral soil becomes less readily available, the expansion of oil palm is increasing on peat lands. As these areas are drained, the peat is exposed to oxidation resulting in significant CO₂ release over an extended period. Other significant sources of GHGs emissions associated with oil palm are the use of fires for land clearing and emission of methane from effluent treatment ponds of palm oil mills. Forest are felled, peat swamps drained and burnt, creating a haze that covers large areas, affecting people’s health and disrupting economic activities.