CLASS 9 FOREST SOCIETY AND COLONIALISM (HISTORY 4)
FOREST SOCIETY AND COLONIALISM Advantages of Forest It plays a major role in improving the quality of environment, modify the local climate, controls soil erosion, regulate stream flow, support a variety of industries, provide livelihood for many communities and after opportunities for recreation. Forest adds to the floor large quantities of leaves, twigs and branches which after decomposition forms humus. It provided industrial wood, timber, fuel wood, fodder and several other minor products of great economic value. They also provide natural environment for wild life, play an important role in maintaining the life support system. It supports a large variety of flora and fauna such as in Amazon forests or in the Western Ghats. Changes in the Forest cover A lot of diversity from forest is rapidly disappearing. Between 1700 and 1995, the period of industrialization, 13.9 million sq.km of forest or 9.3% of world’s total area was cleared for industrial uses, cultivatio