In the course of environmental sciences topic like natural resources contain sub point as Forest Resources. It is useful for all degree courses having subject like environmental sciences of environmental studies. B. Pharmacy Course having subject Environmental Sciences in 1st Year, Sem-II, Having 1st unit in that sub point is Natural Resources in that Forest Resources.

1. Natural Resources.
By Assit. Prof. Shubhangi Sonawane
EVS. Sem-II, B. Pharmacy.
Forest Resources
f Pharmacy

2. Content of Forest Resources
01 Forest Functions or Importance and Uses of Forests
02
03
04
05
Deforestation
Overuse of Forests
Forest Conservation and Management
Afforestation Programmes

3. India have only 11% land under forest as compared
to ideal requirement of 33% Thus, the existing forests
must be protected and also there is need to increase our
forest cover.
The lives and livelihoods of people living near the
forests depend directly on these resources However the
lives get great benefits from the forests. The water
which we use depend of the forests on around river
valleys. Our furniture, construction materials, paper etc
are derived from wood of forests. They supply us
oxygen we breathe in and use CO₂ that we breathe out.
INTRODUCTION

4. I. Environmental or Ecological Functions
(a)Protects soil from harmful effects of changes in temperature, action of wind,
action of rain drops, action of running water, preventing landslides, holding or
binding soil and making the soil spongy as well as fertile.
(b) Retention of sub-soil water like a sponge by plant litter and humus, thus,
preventing excessive run off and allowing percolation.
(c) Prevention of floods or watershed protection by reducing the surface run off and
more retention of water in the soil.
(d) Rainfall is increased because forests attract rain bearing clouds.
(e) atmospheric humidity becomes high due to transpiration and absorption of solar
heat.
(f) Local climate is maintained due to moderating and moistening effect of forests.
(g) Atmospheric pollution is reduced as forests absorb harmful gases and collect
SPM over their surface.
(h) Maintenance of ecological balance by keeping balance between CO2 and O₂
Thus, forest cover decreases global warming.
(i) Hydrological cycle is maintained, particularly the local or short water cycle.
(j) Provide shelter to wild animals. Over 40 million tribal and villagers live in
forests. The number of cattle grazing in forests is 200 million.

5.  Food by gathering plants, fruits, fishing, hunting (now banned) from the
forest.
 Fodder for cattle.
 Fuel wood and charcoal for cooking and heating.
 Poles, bamboos for building homes in rural and wilderness areas.
 Timber for household articles construction.
 Fiber for weaving baskets, nets, ropes, string, etc.
 Apiculture (rearing of bees) for honey: bees also pollinate crops.
 Sericulture for silk
 Medicinal plants for traditional medicines as well as potential source for
modern medicines.
Local Use (Consumptive Use)
Commercial Use (Productive Use)
 Most of the products of consumptive use are also sold as a source of income
in the market by forest-dwelling people.
 Minor forest produce (NTFPs) like gums, resins, fruit, fibre, fuelwood, etc.
are collected and sold by local people.
 Major timber extraction (legal and illegal) for construction, industrial uses,
paper, pulp. rayon, etc.

6. II. Overuse of Forests
Most of Indian territory was occupied by forests and people used to live in perfect
harmony with nature. Due to these natural conservative traditions, the biodiversity has
flourished and now India is regarded as one of the mega diversity countries of the
world. With the spread of agriculture, however, the forests were left in patches and
were mostly controlled by tribal people. They lived entirely on forest resources.
Britishers promoted deforestation and used the timber for building their ships. They
developed scientific forestry in India and alienated local people by creating Reserved
and Protected Forests. People lost access to the resources and also did not care for their
conservation. This led to gradual degradation and fragmentation of the forests across
the country.
Period after Independence was of over-utilization and forest degradation as people
considered their right to use the forest resources in any way they pleased. Timber
extraction remained the Forest Department's main concern up to the 1970s. Thus, our
forest wealth dwindled in post- independent period.

7. III. Deforestation
Logging and mining are
serious causes of loss of
forests in India as well as all
over the world. Dams built
for hydel energy and
irrigation have submerged
large areas of forests, have
displaced tribal people and
might have caused loss of
biodiversity. It is a serious
problem in India. A nation
remains prosperous if it uses
its forest resources
cautiously.

8. Causes of Deforestation
Natural causes
include forest fires (in
hot and dry season
due to rubbing of
twigs, lightening, etc.),
floods, droughts,
earthquakes, cyclones,
pests, diseases, etc.
Shifting or Jump
Cultivation:
In north-east Jump
forests of India, forest
tribes cultivate crops
by burning a part of
forest. After few years
of cultivation, they do
so at another place.
Population Explosion
For overpopulation, fuck,
timber, roads, railways,
land as cultivation which
does much harm to
forests. food cultivation
and other necessary
articles are used at the
cost of forests.
Urbanization
The development of
cities due to increasing
population and
industrialization is also
at the cost of forests
as forest products are
usually used in their
construction.

9. Effects of Deforestation
Deforestation and degradation of forests have produced following effects:
(a)There has been an increase in frequency of floods and droughts.
(b) There has been a decrease in the capacity of soil to retain water and
decrease of underground water.
(c) Soil erosion has increased and soil fertility has decreased.
(d) In dry areas, deforestation has led to desertification.
(e) Wild species of plants, animals and microbes have become extinct
causing irreparable loss.
(f) Local people and tribes have lost their culture, dwellings and earnings.
(g) GHGs have increased (forests decrease CO2) in concentration causing
global warming.
(h). Ozone layer has been depleted.
(i) Atmosphere has become imbalanced. Fall in humidity has led to
decrease in rainfall and there is change in pattern of rainfall.
(j) In mountain areas, landslides have been increased.
(k) Man has been deprived of the benefits to be obtained from forests and
wildlife. Future generations will have to pay the cost of it.

10. Forest Conservation and Management
1. To maintain the balance, the number of cut trees must be replaced by
planting at least the same number of trees and they should be properly
nourished.
2. Trees should be planted on non-cultivated and wastelands, along roads,
railways lines and river banks.
3. There is a need to minimize the use of wood and fuel. Use of smokeless
and fuel efficient chullas saves the fuel.
4. Instead of fuel wood, alternative sources of energy should be used.
5. There is need to save the forests from fire. Proper protective measures
should be adopted in case of forest fires.
6. Forest trees must be saved from diseases and insect pests by proper
control measures.
7. Cattle grazing must be prohibited in the forests. Alternatively cattle
should be fed by cutting the fodder from forests.
8. Forest should be managed scientifically as directed by scientists by
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Non-commercial trees, old dying
trees, damaged trees by storms and animals, diseased trees, etc. should be
removed. This operation is called improvement cutting.

11. Afforestation Programmes
It was started in 1976
and involves the
afforestation of public
and common lands for
fuel, fodder, timber
for agricultural
implements and for
fruits. These are
mainly meant for the
benefit of rural
community with the
aim to reduce the
demand on existing
forests
Social Forestry
Programme.
It is the programme
of growing
ornamental and
fruit trees in urban
areas along roads,
in private
compounds and in
common parks.
Urban Forestry
Programme
Planting of trees on
the sides of roads,
railway lines,
canals and waste-
lands
Extension
Forestry
National commission on Agriculture (NCA, 1976) have made many
afforestation schemes. The important ones are as follows:

12. Thank You!
EVS. Sem-II,
B. Pharmacy
By- Assit. Prof. Shubhangi Sonawane
SVPM’s College of Pharmacy.
Malegaon bk- 413115.