What is the importance of forest in India ?

Forests are extensive self-sustained wooded tracts of land with a biotic community predominated by woody vegetation consisting of trees and shrubs with a close canopy. A forest is a biotic community, predominantly of trees, shrubs or any other woody vegetation usually with a closed canopy. Forests vary a great deal in compositions and densities and are distinct from meadows and pastures. Woodland is closer to human habitations possesses an open canopy and is managed and maintained by human-beings.

Forestry is the branch of science which is connected with establishment, protection, management and exploitation of forests. Forests are of immense importance to the life and prosperity of human-beings and of nations. Forests and woodland provide a rich variety of goods useful to both affluent industrial societies and the rural poor. They give the following benefits:-

1. Timber: Wood is the major forest produce. The timber and sawn up wood (sawdust) obtained from forests are used as basic material for building, houses particularly in rural areas. Wood, on the other hand, is used as a temporary structural support for the construction of buildings and bridges. It is a raw material for making doors, windows, furniture, poles, posts, mine props, railway sleepers, carts, ploughs, tool handles, matches, sports goods etc. It is also a raw material for the manufacture of paper, rayon and film.

2. Fuel Wood/Fire Wood: In developing countries, heaviest demand on forests is for fuel wood. More than 1500 million people depend on wood to cook and keep warm.

3. Economical uses of forests: Forests play a vital role in the life and economy of all the tribes living in their laps. They provide food (tubers, roots, leaves and fruits of plants and meat from animals), medicines and other products of commercial use, which forms a viable forest based subsistence pattern.

4. Ecological uses of forests:
(a) Protection of Biodiversity, land &Environment: . Forests are large biotic communities. They provide shelter and sustenance for a large number of diverse species of plants, animals and micro-organisms. They protect the environment. They prevent erosion of the soil by wind and water. Trees provide shade which prevents the soil from becoming too dry and friable during summer.

(b) Moderating & Moistening Effects on Climate: They also check the velocity of rain drops or wind striking the ground and reduce dislodging of soil particles. The root system of plants firmly binds the soil.

(c) Retention of Sub-soil Water & Increase in Rainfall Frequency: They improve the quality of the soil by increasing its porosity and fertility by contributing humus to it. The forest soil absorbs water during rains like a giant sponge and does not allow it to evaporate or run-off quickly. Forests increase atmospheric humidity by drawing sub-soil water and sending it out in the air during transpiration. The increased humidity helps plants and animals to survive in a warm season by making it cool and pleasant.

(d) Pollution Control: They play an important role in reducing atmospheric pollution by collecting the suspended particulate matter and by absorbing carbon dioxide etc.