Trees are the pride of Mother Earth, the foundation of life and happiness. Wherever there are lush green trees, nature is alive in its versatility. From small living organisms to animals, birds and even humans find protection and shelter in it, and life flourishes at every level. Wherever there is dense forest, biodiversity is at its maximum prosperity. The ecological balance is guaranteed in which clean air, pure water, fertile land, and a peaceful environment are easily available. Who will not want to live there?
This is the reason why the sages of yore have encouraged tree plantation. It is said that one step-well is equivalent to 10 wells, one pond is equivalent to 10 step-wells, one son is equivalent to 10 ponds, and one tree is equivalent to ten sons. So, planting trees is considered a holy task. In ‘Bhavishya Purana,’ there is a mention that the one who plants a shade-giving, flower- and fruit-bearing tree or plants a tree by the road or in temple premises helps his forefathers attain salvation, and the planter himself achieves glory and auspicious results.
Planting trees is very auspicious, and the tree is like a son to the one who doesn’t have any. In our ancient scriptures, several references state the importance of trees and encourage the planting of trees. Accordingly, considering this auspicious in India, tree plantation is carried out widely. That is why we see so many flourishing forests in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, there is a widespread lack of understanding regarding tree plantation and the promotion of greenery, especially in the villages that are rapidly transforming into concrete jungles where vegetation is negligible.
Also, there has been continuous indiscriminate deforestation in the name of progress. The exploitation of natural resources is being carried out in a well-planned manner. Human attitude towards nature is so callous that he is not averse to exploiting nature for his petty greed. The statistics of forested land in India and around the world are proof of it, which is perturbing and compels us to give it serious thought.
According to the latest reports of the forest survey of India, there is a decrease in forested land in the Himalayan region. In the year 2011, the thick forests in the area were 4270 square km, which decreased to 4155 square km in 2021. Although there has been an increase of 9 square km of forested land in Himachal Pradesh, a fall has been recorded in scarce and medium-density forests. According to the reports, the decrease in forested land in the Himalayan region is due to increased agricultural and development activities.
Tourism in the Himalayan region has grown by leaps and bounds. It is natural that a large number of tourists from the plains, to get relief from the scorching heat during summer, escape to the mountains but keeping in mind the ecological balance and biodiversity of these tourist places, these places have not been maintained and developed as per the safety norms. In order to accommodate the large crowd, concrete jungles have been erected on the mountain slopes, neglecting all safety measures, which is a matter of serious concern.
It becomes even more dangerous as the region comes within earthquake sensitive zone. Such unplanned developmental activities are going on indiscriminately in this region which is taking a large population toward serious impending tragedy. This should be immediately banned and brought under control. Along with preserving forests and greenery, tree plantation should also be encouraged in open lands.
However, according to a survey in India, there has been an increase of 1540 square km in forest area and 721 square km in tree coverage; in the year 2011, the tree coverage was 712249 square km, which increased to 713789 square km in 2021. At present, 21.27% of the land area is covered with trees.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in the south and Odisha and Jharkhand in the east have shown a predominant increase in forest areas. Contrary to this, there has been a tremendous fall in forest areas in the North-Eastern states of India. So, it is natural to expect a dialog at a national level in this context.
It is known that the indiscriminate felling of trees at the national level is the biggest tragedy of present times. Since 1990 we have destroyed 13 lakh square km of forest area, which is more than the area of South Africa. However, in many parts of the world, efforts are being made for tree plantation, which has yielded increasing and exemplary results. Surinam in South America is one such country where 94% of the area is covered under forest. It is followed by the Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Seychelles, and Palau.
In contrast to this, some countries are apathetic towards this. They present a frightening picture in this context. Some such thing is happening with the Amazon Forests in Brazil. The Amazon forests are known as the lungs of our earth. Every fifth human on the planet depends on the oxygen released by the Amazon Forests, but the callous felling of its trees is depriving us of our breath.
It is known that the natives of this jungle depend on the rainforest for their living, but the destruction of these forests endangers their existence. Last year at Global Climate Summit in Glasgow, more than 100 nations of COP26 had assured that they would stop cutting down the forest by 2030 but what work has been done in reality is worth pondering.
For the ecological balance of the earth and the mere existence of humans, conservation and planting of trees and forests is the immediate need of the hour. It is the Yug Dharma. Concrete steps should be taken in this direction. Also, there is a need for all-round destruction of the evil nexus that is playing with nature/environment.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2022 Nov-Dec
