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| Safeguard interests of future generations | | |
The loss of forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir has sent alarm bells ringing . Environmentalists are making fervent appeals to people to wake up before it gets too late. The need of the hour is to plant trees to safeguard the interests of the future generations.
The loss of forest cover has exacerbated the effects of climate change, opening the door to flash floods and soil erosion.
Consequences are lesser crop yields, negative impact on local economies and disruptions of food supply patterns on a wider scale.
Human beings have to launch a multi-pronged offensive to beat climate change and planting trees is one of the most potent weapons to prevent the further degradation of the environment.
According to a recent official report, over 23% of the total forest area in Jammu and Kashmir is facing degradation due to various factors.
The geographical area of Jammu region is 26293 square kilometers. Out of it, 12066 square kilometers (45.89% of the geographical area) is forest.
The geographical area of Kashmir region is 15948 square kilometers out of which 8128 square kilometers is the forest area (50.97%).
As per the Working Plans of J&K, a total of 4520 square kilometers of forest area is under various stages of degradation and has been recommended for rehabilitation.
The official report underlines that some of the forests which were earlier well-stocked have also been degraded over a period of time and are required to be rehabilitated under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
The environmentalists are of the opinion that the forests are under tremendous pressure to meet increasing demands for fodder, grazing, small timber and other forest produce due to rapid increase in human and livestock population.
And the demand is increasing with each passing day. The human population of J&K has increased from about 1.01 crore in 2001 to 1.25 crore in 2011 recording a decadal growth of 23.71%”.
The degradation and loss of forests threatens the survival of many species, and reduces the ability of forests to provide essential services.
The effects of degradation of forests are already visible.
There seems to be a lack of appreciation of the unseen benefits of forests but the already existing impact is for everyone to perceive.
It’s high time for the people to start planting trees and save this forest cover from getting degraded completely. |
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