Question

India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since the year 2000. This is equivalent to a six percent decrease in tree cover during this period. Source: The Indian Express, Date: 12.04.2024

1. Mention any two causes of the decrease in the forest cover of India.
2. Name a conservation method that may be used to help in increasing the forest cover.

Answer 1

1. Two causes of deforestation are as follows:
   1. Agricultural expansion: The loss of forest cover results from extensive deforestation to make way for cultivation.
   2. Urbanisation and infrastructure development: As cities expand quickly, trees are cut down to make way for roads, homes, and businesses, which results in deforestation.
2. Afforestation is one conservation strategy to expand the amount of forest cover. In order to restore greenery and improve ecological balance, it includes planting trees in places where there were previously no forests.