TREE PLANTATION
The value of encouraging tree planting cannot be overstated. "People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people," as the saying goes. A world without trees is analogous to a lifeless desert. All life on Earth is interdependent, and one cannot exist without the other. The preservation of all natural resources is critical for the health of our ecosystem. As a result, tree planting must be promoted aggressively.
Trees provide several benefits to humanity. During the photosynthesis process, they consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This aids in the fight against climate change. According to studies, an acre of trees can absorb the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide created by a car driven for 26,000 miles. Strong, healthy trees serve as carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric CO2 and mitigating the consequences of climate change. In addition, an acre of mature trees may give enough oxygen for eighteen people in a year. Trees help to filter the air by absorbing pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxide. By collecting dust and absorbing contaminants from the air, tree canopies operate as physical screens.
Trees assist in chilling the surroundings, lowering the demand for air conditioning and so preserving energy. Streets and cities with more green cover are substantially cooler than those that have not. UV rays are widely recognised as the major cause of skin cancer. Trees provide 50% UV protection.
Trees have a significant role in water conservation. The shade from trees lowers the rate of water evaporation from lawns, gardens, and other similar areas. Trees also aid in the prevention of water contamination. They prevent runoff by breaking down rainwater and letting water seep into the ground. They operate as sponges, filtering rainwater and replenishing the groundwater table. Furthermore, trees play a significant role in the water cycle and regulate the ecosystem's moisture level. Tree plantations serve an important role in reducing soil erosion. Tree roots bind the soil, preventing it from being swept away during rainstorms.
Trees provide food and wood, both contribute to the region's economy. There are numerous work prospects in the forest business. Furthermore, sustainable tree farming supplies lumber for home construction as well as fuel for cooking and warmth. Trees also provide a home and sanctuary for a variety of birds, animals, and insects. When they are young, they protect birds, insects, lichen, and fungi. To name a few tree-dwelling species, the trunks of ancient trees can be home to owls, bats, and beetles. As a result, trees are one-of-a-kind hosts of intricate microhabitats.
Nature possesses the ability to heal. Exposure to nature has been demonstrated in studies to boost concentration and minimise mental tiredness. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have been shown to improve when given access to nature. Studies have also shown that being near trees and green spaces reduces blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels within minutes.
Unfortunately, in our quest for growth and modernization, we have been methodically destroying forests and depleting the earth's resources. Deforestation has been going on for generations. Previously, it was balanced by natural growth because tree cutting was done for personal or community purposes alone. However, as agriculture expanded, forest lands began to be removed. Destruction grew following the Industrial Revolution, and the main cause of deforestation was the colonial period's urbanisation and commercial exploitation. The consequences of all that mindless destruction are now visible to all: global warming, erratic weather patterns, an increase in the frequency and volume of floods, glacier melting, desertification of previously fertile areas, loss of soil productivity, extinction of several species, ecosystem imbalance, and a lack of forest products. "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself," remarked Franklin D. Roosevelt. Forests are our land's lungs, cleaning the air and providing new strength to our people." This fact must be remembered if we are to prevent more species, including ourselves, from becoming extinct.
Many governments around the world are starting to recognise the value of afforestation. Several local governments, individual residents, and non-governmental organisations are working ceaselessly to repair the damage done over time. In India, tree planting is typically done during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. Every year in the first week of July, Van Mahotsav, or Tree Plantation Day, is observed. Several actions can be taken to conserve forests. Clear-cutting, selective cutting, and shelter cutting are all ways of regulating tree cutting. Commercial deforestation on a large scale should be avoided. Large areas of green cover can be destroyed by forest fires. Forest fires should be avoided by taking the necessary precautions. Making fire lanes, cleaning dry leaves and trees, and spraying chemicals to stop flames are all examples. Better farming practices can also be implemented. Slash-and-burn farming, cattle overgrazing, and changing agriculture must all be avoided. National parks and game sanctuaries have grown in popularity in recent years. This approach of promoting woods as tourism destinations may both protect and earn foreign exchange. Several countries have turned their woods into tourism destinations.
Before beginning a plantation drive, there are a few things to consider. The sort of trees to be planted is determined by the area's terrain and climate. Planting indigenous species is desirable since they are better suited to the local habitat. This also aids in the preservation of traditional vegetation.
This is a great opportunity for everyone to recognise the importance of plantation and contribute to it. The government must take this issue seriously, and more and more people must work to achieve this critical goal.
0 Comments