What Are The Effects Of Deforestation
Following are the harmful effects of Deforestation:
1. FLOODS AND DROUGHTS:
Soil erosion causes increased soil flow, which initiates the flood and drought cycle. Cutting down trees on mountain slopes obstructs the flow of rivers towards the plains, reducing their water efficiency and causing the water to flow rapidly downwards.
• Because trees play an important role in maintaining the surface of the mountains and creating natural barriers to rapidly rising rain water, deforestation leads to land erosion. As a result, the water level in rivers rises suddenly, causing flooding.
2. SOIL FERTILITY LOSS:
When fuel becomes scarce, cow dung and vegetable residue are used as fuel to produce food. As a result, every part of the plant is gradually utilized, and nothing is returned to the soil.
• After a period of time, the drift of this nutrition has an impact on the soil's productivity, causing soil fertility to deteriorate. With the removal of forests, the fertile soil above ground is carried away by rainwater to places where it is not needed.
3. AIR POLLUTION:
Forest destruction has serious consequences for air pollution. The most serious disadvantage is that it pollutes the air. Where there aren't enough trees, the air becomes polluted. The problem of air pollution is particularly acute in cities. Many diseases afflict the people there, particularly breathing problems such as asthma.
4. SPECIES EXTINCTION:
Wildlife is vanishing as a result of forest destruction. Many species have vanished or are on the verge of extinction, including the Asiatic cheetah, Namdapha flying squirrel, Himalayan wolf, Elvira rat, Andaman shrew, Jenkins' shrew, Nicobar shrew, and others.
5. DESERTIFICATION:
Desertification is occurring on a large scale as a result of the continuous loss of forest land and erosion of the land. Deforestation has a direct impact on natural climate change, resulting in an increase in global temperature. Rainfall is becoming more irregular as the forest area shrinks. This contributes to the phenomenon known as "global warming," which has a direct impact on humans.
6. WATER RESOURCES DEPLETION:
As a result of the indiscriminate harvesting of trees and plants on river banks, exits, and mountains, river water is becoming shallower, less deep, and polluted. Insufficient rainfall occurs as a result of this, the water supply becomes contaminated, and the environment becomes polluted and deadly.
7. INDUSTRIALIZATION'S NEGATIVE EFFECTS:
Trees and plants protect the environment by preventing toxic gases from dissolving in the atmosphere and preventing ash and sand particles from rising as well. In today's world, cities, towns, and even villages are flooded with industries. The smoke they produce releases a variety of toxic gases into the atmosphere.
8. DAMAGE TO THE OZONE LAYER:
As a result of deforestation, the Earth's normal environment has become polluted. It is endangering the ozone layer, which is essential for the planet's overall defence. Consider the dreadful day (which, hopefully, will never arrive) when the ozone layer vanishes.
9. TRIBES IN JEOPARDY:
Tribal and Adivasis rely on the forest for their survival. Life has become a commodity in modern society's thinking, but the jungle is a complete lifestyle for the tribals.
• It is a source of income for them. Their approach to forest conservation is extremely important, but it is neither implemented nor recognized. Since the time of their forefathers, they have been defending the forest.
• Adivasis take as much as they need from the forest and give something back in exchange. They hold the forest in high regard. The tribals' ways and rules for using the forest are inherently sustainable because forest conservation is in their blood.
• It's worth noting that the tribals not only rely on the forest for their livelihood, but they also use wild herbs to treat their illnesses.
10. LACK OF ACCESS TO HERBAL MEDICINES:
As a result of the loss of tree cover, today's mountains and forests are deserted. Obtaining medicinal flora has become increasingly difficult as a result of this. This valuable natural resource is rapidly eroding due to a lack of tree planting. This disrupts the natural balance of life and the environment. By breaking stones, mountain cliffs are becoming deserted, and rainfall in the surrounding areas is decreasing.
11. HOMELESS ANIMALS:
Destitute animals are seeking refuge in villages as a result of ongoing deforestation. As a result, wild animals are increasingly entering villages and towns across the country, posing a serious threat to human life.