CBSE Class 7 Answered

Need to conserve forests:

• They provide habitat for wildlife and are an important constituent of the various food chains and food webs.
• They are needed for the smooth functioning of biogeochemical cycles.
• They help in the formation of humus and maintaining soil fertility.
• They purify air and protect the earth from the greenhouse effect.
• The sports equipment industry paper industry, lac manufacturing industry, the timber industry, and furniture industry depend on forests.
• Many fruits, medicines, dyes, sandalwood, and bamboo is obtained from forests by the local people.
• Forests provide employment to a large number of people and also help in generating revenue.

Ways to conserve forests:

• Afforestation and reforestation
• Declaring a large patch of forests as ‘sacred groves’
• Joint Forest Management (JFM)
• Regulated and planned cutting of trees
• Control over forest fire
• Check over forest clearance for agricultural and habitation purposes