Forest is the most common natural resource on the earth. Forest is a highly complex, highly stable, self controlled and balanced ecosystem. They are the important and most suitable place to study the biodiversity. They are the large area dominated by the trees. Since ancient time human beings harvesting forest resources to full fill their need. Many tribals still live in the forests. Forests are the basis of overall, particularly economical development, of any country.
India is basically an agricultural country but forests play an important role in the economy. We are dependent on the forests for many products such as flowers, fruits, fodder, timber, fuel wood, resin, many types of medicinal herbs, katthaa (Catechu) etc.
Forest provide raw material for many industries such as paper, lac, matchbox, thread, cloth, rubber, pigment etc.
Forests are the pasture land for various animals and they also provide employment to human beings. The forests help to maintain nature balance which is essential for human beings to survive. Such as
- The forests make the environment clean by absorbing toxic gases such as CO2, SO2, NO, NO2 etc.
- They maintain balance of CO2 & O2 in the environment.
- They prevent evaporation of water & maintain atmospheric humidity.
- They contribute to soil fertility.
- They prevent soil erosion & fast run off of rain water.
- They provide food & habitat for wild life.
