I hope you are enjoying the posts on our biggest asset- Forests. This blog on Afforestation is the last in the series of posts on Forests for the month of December. In a world that is still witnessing rapid deforestation and mass extinction of species, the creation of forests or Afforestation is gaining a lot of momentum. As it is not only a way to increase the green cover, but it also provides a habitat for species of birds, animals, insects, etc.
Afforestation and its Requirements
In simple terms, Afforestation means converting an area of land that had no previous tree cover into a forest. But this is not it. Instead, calling a patch of land Afforested involves research, study, and numerous attempts.
A few steps will help as you go deeper into this subject. . Those who wish to grow a forest generally conduct extensive research on:
Determining the forest site.
The quality of soil and other nutrients required for growing trees.
Water Availability and the type of irrigation system that the forester will require.
The desired trees will require either seeds, seedlings, or cuttings (a portion of the plant or its stem)
In terms of the species, native trees of the particular area are grown due to their adaptive qualities. Any kind of foreign or unfamiliar category of trees is generally exempt.
Various measures like fencing and guarding the area become mandatory to ensure that the prospective trees are safe from goats, cows, or unknown trampling.Importance
Importance of Afforestation:
In my previous article this month, you would have gotten a sneak peek into the downside of deforestation. In this post, I wish to highlight the need to increase our forest cover through the process of Afforestation.
Two terminologies- Climate Change and Global Warming have become a part of our newspapers and conversations.
And all those present are witnesses to this freakish change in the weather pattern throughout the globe. However, converting land into forest areas can help reverse these menace that threatens all life on the Planet (to an extent).
Moreover, another plus is that it leads to Sustainability in forests. As it is well known, there is an ever-increasing demand for wood and related products. Natural and ancient forest spreads are saved from felling by foresting the specific types of high-demand trees.
Afforestation also leads to the preservation of the new set of forest ecosystems for future generations.
Afforested areas also help keep the soil together there, improving its quality.
Apart from beautifying- qualified, designer forests area, Afforestation leads to the absorption of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide.
Another significant benefit is that this method leads to the generation of employment opportunities for many.
Those described above are just a few of the benefits. The benefits of creating urban forests, vertical forests, or even planting pots at home are necessary to increase some of the above benefits undertaking the mammoth task of Afforestation. As the latter might not be possible at all times.
Be it controlling wind speeds, protecting watersheds, or preventing desertification – maintaining and sustainably utilizing these priceless assets should be our foremost aim as wildlife existence is also largely dependent on these extensive forests.
And so folks, let’s get our act together and start PLANTING!!!!!
