Deforestation
Definition
Deforestation refers to the reduction of forest areas or the conversion of forest land into non-forest land. According to the Forest Act, a forest is an area partially or fully covered by trees, integrating water, land, wildlife, and vegetation.
Status of Forest Resources in Nepal
- Estimated 57.1% forest cover around 1950 (2007 BS).
- First forest survey (1964/65): 45.3%.
- Forest survey (1978/79): 42.7%.
- Forest survey (1994): 39.6%.
- Forest survey (2015): 44.74%.
- National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS) (2019): 45.31%.
- NLCMS (2022): 46.08% (6,797,257 hectares).
Causes of Deforestation
A forest is an integrated system of water, land, wildlife, and vegetation. The conversion of forest areas into non-forest areas is termed deforestation. Despite conservation efforts leading to 46.08% forest cover in Nepal, the following factors contribute to ongoing deforestation:
- Population growth and high population density.
- Unplanned urbanization and migration.
- Unregulated development and construction activities.
- Increased demand for timber and firewood.
- Wildfires and forest fires.
- Expansion of livestock grazing and pasturelands.
- Lack of public awareness.
- Poverty and illiteracy.
- Weak legal frameworks.
- Impacts of climate change.
- Illegal logging and smuggling.
Impacts of Deforestation
Deforestation causes severe disruptions to environmental balance, with multifaceted impacts including:
- Floods, landslides, and soil erosion.
- Depletion of water resources.
- Decrease in atmospheric oxygen and increase in carbon dioxide.
- Disruption of the water cycle.
- Loss of wildlife habitats.
- Decline in biodiversity.
- Global warming.
- Climate change.
- Degradation of ecosystems.
- Environmental imbalance.
- Shortage of timber and non-timber forest products.
- Challenges to the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
- Decline in ecotourism and the economy.
- Direct impacts on human life.
Effective Measures to Control Deforestation
Various policy, institutional, and programmatic efforts have been made to control deforestation. Absolute conservation policies alone are insufficient; sustainable conservation and utilization measures include:
- Afforestation and sustainable conservation on barren land.
- Development of community forestry.
- Promotion of agroforestry and private forestry.
- Afforestation on public and river-encroached lands.
- Establishment of additional protected areas.
- Development and use of alternative energy sources.
- Reduction in the use of timber and firewood.
- Cultivation of medicinal herbs and multi-purpose plants.
- Development of forest-based ecotourism and forest enterprises.
- Sustainable and managed use of forest products.
- Control of illegal logging and forest fires.
- Promoting good governance through meaningful local community participation in forest conservation and development.
- Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
- Control of unplanned migration.
- Planned urbanization and settlement development.
- Development of green cities and a green economy.
- Timely revision and implementation of policies, regulations, and laws.
- Enhancing public awareness.
Conclusion
Deforestation is a serious issue that directly impacts environmental balance, biodiversity, and human life. Addressing it requires long-term vision, public participation, robust legal frameworks, and practical implementation. Effective measures such as raising public awareness, promoting alternative energy, managing community forestry, and enforcing forest conservation policies and programs are essential to minimize deforestation’s impacts and achieve sustainable forest conservation. The active role of all stakeholders is crucial for forest preservation.