Prof Ashok Ghosh
Prof Ashok Ghosh
Eco-Scope Bihar
World Environment Day – 5th June, 2011: save forests and save our future
By Prof Ashok Kumar Ghosh
Editor’s note: Since today is the World Environment Day, Prof Ashok Ghosh’s column is appearing today instead of Monday.
Today is The World Environment Day. I started my day with newspapers and a cup of tea .Almost all the newspapers were splashed with substantive coverage of world environment day (WED)-2011.It is good to seethat thelevel of awareness towards our responsibility to mother earth, and proactive role of media is increasing. The theme for this year’s WED is: Forests: Nature At Your Service.The theme is very timely and relevant, as the forests are the biggest protector for life on earth. They are being devastated by increasing pollution load at global level through anthropogenic activities.
Typical Tropical Rain Forest – Nature’s Beauty
As per UNEP statement “Forests cover one third of the earth’s land mass, performing vital functions and services around the world which make our planet alive with possibilities. In fact, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. They play a key role in our battle against climate change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide. “The forest is also considered as green lungs of mother earth which provides oxygen for survival of all seven million human beings on earth.
Forests are also feeder for many of our rivers and are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities on earth. They create and maintain soil fertility; they help to regulate the often devastating impact of storms, floods and fires. The forests are also rich reservoirs of biodiversity.The forests contain about 50% of nature’s biodiversity.It is estimated that there are about 1700 tree species, over 1200 species of birds, and thousands of microbes in forest ecosystem. 95 species of different ants have been found on a single tree of Amazon forest in North America.Scientists estimate that only 10 % of species of forests are known, may be less if we include microbial biodiversity.
The forest and tree cover of India as per the State of Forest Report 2009,prepared by Forest Survey of India ( based on satellite data) is 78.37 million ha in2007,which is 23.87 % of the total geographical area of country. In contrast the forest cover of Bihar is only 6,804 km 2, which is 7.23% of the state’s geographical area. Bihar has 231km2 very dense forest, 3,248 km2 moderately dense forest and 3,325 km2 open forest.Comparison of the current forest cover (Satellite data of Oct 2006- Feb, 2006) with previous assessment(Satellite Data Oct- Dec, 2004 – Jan,2005) shows a loss of 3 km 2 of forest cover in Bihar.
Bihar is left with very little forest cover after creation of separate state of Jharkhand. There is urgent need for rapid forestation in Bihar to protect its environment and climate.All of us will have to join hands and contribute towards this mission. I appeal to readers of my column to take the following pledge to celebrate WED 2011:
1. At least plant one tree every year – there is no upper limit.
2. Say no to plastic bags – use cotton or jute carry bags
3. Conserve water – recycle grey water
4. Avoid use of CFC containing sprays and appliances to protect ozone layer.
5. Use properly maintained fuel efficient vehicles to cut down emission of toxic gases.
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Prof. Ashok Kumar Ghosh is Professor-in-Charge in the department of Environment and Water Management, A.N.College [Magadh University], Patna, India.He writes a column on environment and water resources in Bihar, exclusively for BiharDays every Mondays.
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