Conservation of Forests
- India has an area of 752.3 lakh hectares classified as reserved forests and 215.1 lakh hectares as protected forests.
- The important measures taken for the conservation of forests are as follows
Afforestation:
Activities for afforestation
- Programme (Van Mahotsav) includes planting and protecting trees with multiple uses which help in the restoration of green cover.
- The destruction of trees should be curtailed.
Social forestry programme:
- It should be undertaken on a large scale with the active participation of the public and utilization of common land to produce firewood, fodder and timber for the benefit of the rural community.
- This relieves pressure on existing forests and safeguards the future of tribals.
Forest Conservation through Laws:
- Adopting stringent laws and policies to conserve and protect forests are through National Forest Policy, (1952 and 1988) and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.