Write short notes on four of the following: (a) deforestation (b) regeneration (c) afforestation (d) selective exploitation (e) Taungya system.

Answer Details

Short notes on four of the listed terms:

(a) Deforestation: This is the clearing, felling or removal of trees and forest vegetation from an area of land without replacing them. It is done to obtain timber, fuel wood and farmland or to build settlements. It exposes the soil to erosion, reduces rainfall, destroys wildlife habitats and lowers soil fertility, and it is therefore a harmful practice when uncontrolled.

(b) Regeneration: This is the natural or artificial renewal or re-establishment of a forest. Natural regeneration occurs when trees reseed themselves from fallen seeds or coppice from stumps, while artificial regeneration is achieved by deliberately planting seedlings. It restores the tree cover on land that has been logged or degraded.

(c) Afforestation: This is the deliberate planting of trees to establish a forest on land that was previously bare, grassland or farmland that had no forest before. It is practised to check erosion and desertification, provide timber and fuel, serve as windbreaks and improve the environment.

(d) Selective exploitation: This is a system of forest harvesting in which only mature trees of desired species and size are felled, while young and immature trees are left standing to continue growing. It conserves the forest, allows continuous yield and maintains forest cover, unlike clear felling.

(e) Taungya system: This is a form of agro-forestry in which farmers are allowed to raise arable food crops in between newly planted forest tree seedlings on the same land. The farmer tends both the crops and the young trees; he harvests the food crops while the trees grow, and moves on when the canopy closes. It combines food production with forest establishment and reduces the cost of raising the forest.