An average of seven million acres of forests is being destroyed in the world every year, according to the Jungle Status report published by the United Nations in 2016.
While forests on six million hectares are being reduced due to expansion of agriculture activities, the rest area one million hectares is being cleared of forests due to industrialisation, mining, creation of new human habitations and developmental activities. Thus, goods, services and livelihood sources provided by forests have been depleted gradually. Inhalation of carbon dioxide by trees, flows of rivers and fountains, groundwater, conservation of soil and protection of biodiversity have been impacted negatively. Utilisation of big jungle stretches, increase in cattle grazing area, poaching of wild animals and frequent fires have also put the jungle resources in danger. If the trend of destruction and pressure continues, the forests would lose the power of blossoming.
Experts viewed this at a seminar titled “Reformative programmes for forest management’ organised by the Orissa Environment Society (OES) here on Monday.
They suggested that a roadmap be prepared and activated for protection and conservation of existing forests and creation of new jungles at the earliest.
Noted orchid expert Dr Sharat Chandra Mishra presided over the seminar where former PCCF Suresh Chandra Mohanty attended as chief speaker.
Mohanty stressed on steps for enhancing productivity of forests and protection of diversity, maintaining a record of various categories of trees and animals and shifting of human habitations from jungles. He too stressed on plantation of commercially viable trees and participation of private agencies in creation of forests.
OES Secretrary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi said it has been challenge for all to protect natural values of forests now. At outset, vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh delivered the welcome address. Many environmentalists and intellectuals attended the programme. The event came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by former Nalco General Manager Dr Chittarnajan
Mishra.