Deforestation is defined as the large-scale removal of trees from forests for the facilitation of other human activities. Trees, as we know are an indispensable part of our biodiversity. Without trees, there is no life!

Cutting down trees to use that land for our own needs is termed deforestation. It mainly affects the ecosystem, causes disturbance in the water cycle, damages the natural habitat of other living beings, and also induces soil erosion. Trees are the foremost reason for our living. In India, approximately 31% of the land is covered with forests. They are our principal source of oxygen, food, water, and medicines. Also, they play a major role in the water cycle by adding water to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration. They also absorb the greenhouse gases, acts as a carbon storehouse, thus limiting climate change. They even try to prevent soil erosion by providing mechanical support to the soil. They also try to protect our Mother Earth from some natural calamities by acting as a floodwater sink.

If they are providing us so much selflessly, we should also do our part by planting more trees and not cutting them! We should plant more and more trees. Like the way we celebrate our birthdays, we should also include one activity of planting a tree on that day to give back something to nature. Also, we should use recycled products like books, paper bags, etc. By using more of these items, we are continuously reducing the demand for timber in the environment. Also, we should lower the use of palm oil in our lives. Majority of the palm oil is grown in recently cleared lands. We should, for a fact, know that the world’s palm oil production comes from Indonesia and Malaysia, where the virgin rainforest is generally cleared at a disturbing rate to make way for new plantations.

To avoid deforestation, we should in fact plant more trees in our neighborhood. Also, there is a need to spread awareness of planting more trees.