A Project Report On

“FORESTATION IS IMPORTANT FOR LIFE”

Subject: - Environmental Management

Submitted by

SHRIKANT SURESHRAO TALE

Roll no. 2009047

Acknowledgement
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 It is appropriate for my acknowledgement to start with thanking for assigning us
to the work in the projects section, S.Y.M.M.S.

I thank our Prof. Mr. Trivedi for his careful supervision and guidance.
I thank him for giving us the opportunity to work on this project.

I would sincerely like to thank him for this invaluable support throughout
project period. His profound knowledge, critical suggestions and encouragement have
been a source of immense help.

Executive Summary

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 Trees play a vital role in the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Deforestation is a
process of cutting trees to make space for pastures or for industries and households of
the ever-increasing human population. Excessive cutting of trees for urban use and
other purposes is detrimental to the environmental balance. It is needless to say that
deforestation has several adverse effects on the environment. I am sure you would like
to read more about the causes and effects of deforestation.

Trees are one of the most important aspects of the planet we live in. Trees are
vitally important to the environment, animals, and of course for us humans. They are
important for the climate of the Earth, they act as filters of carbon dioxide, they are
habitats and shelters to millions of species, and they are also important for their
aesthetic appeal. However, the trees on our planet are being depleted at a very fast rate.
According to some estimates, more than 50 percent of the tree cover has disappeared
due to human activity.

The primary data was collected from various Science Professors. Secondary data
was collected through internet. From the analysis it is concluded that how Forestation is
beneficial for Environment.

Objective

 To increase Tree Plantation.

 To increase Oxygen in Atmosphere
 To increase Forest Area.
 To improve balance in ecosystem.
 To Reduce CO2 in Atmosphere
 To Thick OZONE layer .
 To create awareness in society.

Limitations

 The project is up to sample size.

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  Results are depending on the respondents responses.
 Since this a small sample size so final result may vary from actual.
 It is very time consuming.

Research Methodology

Primary data:-

Prof. A. KALHANTRI , P.HD (BOTANY )

 He is Prof. of Botany in Amravati University.

 He has given me the information about ‘Forestation’ and benefit for the
environment.

 Forestation is cheaper and easy source to save the Environment.

 This information is collected by visiting.

Secondary data:-

 It was mainly collected from Internet.

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Introduction
FORESTATION (TREE PLANTATION)

Global Warming
The earths carbon pools store is 39,000 giga tonnes and for nearly half a million years
the transfers of carbon from these pools to the atmosphere has remained stable. Since
the industrial revolution in the mid 1700s, however the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
have been increasing. - by over 30%. Levels of other Greenhouse gasses such as
methane and nitrous oxide have also been going up. The increased C02 is trapping heat
and causing the earths temperature to rise. This will have many unpleasant side effects
for us humans and could in fact wipe us out.

The role of Trees and Forests

Forests make up over three quarters of the carbon in vegetation and 40% of that in soils.
As long as forests are maintained and replenished they continue to store carbon. This
can amount to 70 tons of carbon or 250 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare in the wood
and foliage, a lot more in the soils. The tropical rain forests of the Amazon, central
Africa And East Asia that covers 6% of the earth’s surface are really important carbon
sinks. The cutting down and bad management of forests will reduce carbon storage and
increase CO2 emissions. Well-managed regenerating forests and creating new forests
will reduce emissions and increase carbon storage.

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Unfortunately the history of tropical rain forests has been one of exploitation and
destruction especially since the 1900s.An area the size of Ireland is still being destroyed
each year and half that area again seriously degraded, releasing billions of tons of CO2
into the atmosphere. As well as this the result is a great loss of biodiversity.

Although efforts are being made to slow down deforestation and conserve tropical
forests and forests in temperate regions are reasonably well managed and increased by
new planting, this is not enough to off set the damage to the rain forests. A huge
international effort will be needed to halt the damage.

Forests and carbon

In Ireland, although we have only 10% of our land under trees (700,000 hectares) this
still represents an important carbon store, the equivalent of nearly 1200,0000,000 tons of
CO2 in forest biomass, litter and soils. Annual forest growth stores some 5 million tons
and planting of new forests about 2million tons CO2 per year. The harvested wood
from our forests stores about 10 m tons CO2 per year. Most of our other energy using
and creating activities release CO2.

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Forests
 
Covering about one third of the Earth's land service, forests provide many benefits. The
most notable direct benefits are an estimated 5000 commercial products, such as
lumber, paper, turpentine, and others, worth billions of dollars a year. Forests also
provide refuge from hectic urban life and opportunities for many forms of recreation. In
many poorer nations, forests are a source of wood for cooking and heating.  Forests are
also home to many of the world's species.  Forests benefit us indirectly by protecting
watersheds from soil erosion, and keep rivers and reservoirs relatively free of silt. 
Forests reduce the severity of floods and facilitate aquifer recharge and they assist in the
recycling of water, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and other nutrients.

The ministry is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating, and overseeing the
implementation of environmental and forestry programmes in the country. The main
activities undertaken by the ministry include conservation and survey of the flora of
India and fauna of India, forests and other wilderness areas; prevention and control of
pollution; afforestation, and land degradation mitigation. It is responsible for the
administration of the national parks of India.

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Although humans have been practicing deforestation since ages, it was in the mid-1800s
that forests began to be destroyed at an unprecedented rate. As a matter of fact,
throughout the earlier part of the medieval age, Europeans used to live amongst vast
areas of forested land. But later, they began deforestation at such a high rate that they
started to run out of wood for cooking and heating. Also, due to the depletion of their
natural habitat, wild game too began disappearing, which the Europeans largely
depended upon for their nutritional requirements. Today, parallels can clearly be
observed in the deforestation that is occurring in most developing countries.

As man learnt about nature he started to interfere with the laws of nature. He cut off the
forests for agriculture and tamed wild animals for his food and clothing. Man was able
to conquer nature, yet he can�t control it. A balance exists between all living and non-
living things in nature. Ecological disasters are bound to happen if there is any
disturbance in the natural equilibrium. Increased industrialization and human
requirements have led to the destruction of our forests and wildlife, which are
interdependent in more than one ways.

Plantation forests now comprise around 135 million ha globally, with annual plantation
afforestation and reforestation rates nearing 10% of total area. Some 90% of plantation
forests have been established primarily to provide industrial wood, and their relative
global importance in this role is increasing rapidly. Most of the remaining 10% of
plantation forests were established primarily to supply fuel or wood for non-industrial
use. About 75% of the existing plantation forest estate is established in temperate
regions, but it is in the tropics that the rate of expansion is greatest. The expanding
tropical plantation forest estate includes trees grown primarily as agricultural
plantation crops and which now also supply wood to forest industries. Almost all
existing plantation forests were established and are managed as even-aged
monocultures; species and interspecific hybrids of a few genera dominate plantation
forestry worldwide.

Effective research and development, based on appropriate genetic resources and good
silviculture, are the foundations of successful plantation forestry production. Resolving
relatively fundamental issues remain the priority in many young plantation
programmes; in more advanced programmes, the application of more sophisticated
technologies - particularly in biotechnology and processing - is necessary to maintain
improvements in production. Many plantation forests, particularly in the tropics, are
not yet achieving their productive potential.

Ways to Stop Global Warming:

Owing to the overall rise in the temperature, the glaciers in the Antarctic region begin to melt
which has increased the overall sea level. If this situation continues, many low lying areas will
submerge in the near future. Global warming also increases the occurrences of hurricanes.

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There are many easy solutions to reduce global warming and its impact. First of all, people
should understand the problem and take measures accordingly to save the world.

 People should reduce the usage of electrical appliances which emits green house
gases.

For e.g. the refrigerator releases chloro fluro carbon (CFC) and the incandescent light
lamp emits 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. This can be replaced by a compact
fluorescent light bulb which saves much energy.

 Follow RRR-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

People should not dump waste products in the ground. Plant products, food waste,
vegetable dump undergoes anaerobic decomposition i.e. they break down to produce
methane, a green house gas instead of oxygen. Hence the product usage and wastage
should be reduced or recycled for a healthy atmosphere.

 Trees absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide.

Many trees should be planted since they involve in photosynthesis, food preparation
with the help of sunlight. During this process, trees absorb carbon dioxide and exhale
oxygen. Also, existing forests should be saved and usage of plant byproducts shouldn’t
be wasted.

 Usage of green power prevents 300 kg of carbon dioxide to be emitted into the
atmosphere.

The electricity obtained from the renewable resources like wind and water is called
green power. The cost is also low in case of green power.

 Insulation of the ceiling of a house and power saving is the important factor to reduce
global warming. The electric appliances should be switched off instead to hold it in stand
by mode. This will save more power since stand by mode consumes 40% of the energy.

 People should use only energy efficient appliances. Thermostat should be used for air
conditioners since it reduces the temperature automatically.

 Consumption of organic food should be increased because organic soil absorb large
amount of carbon dioxide. Buying local food reduces the consumption of fuel. Cows
emits large amount of methane due to their vegetarian diet. Hence meat consumption
should be reduced. Also tetra packs should be used instead of tinned food.

 Periodic maintenance of the vehicles helps in efficient usage of fuel and reduces release
of green house gases. Proper inflation of tyres should be done and fuel wastage should
be avoided.

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  Teach your neighborhood and friends about the cause and impacts of global warming
and methods to reduce it. Conservation of forests also forms a factor to reduce global
warming.

Plantations for Greenhouse (P4G)

The Plantations for Greenhouse project (2000-2005) aimed to support landholders in growing
plantations for carbon sequestration in addition to all of the regular economic and environmental
benefits. The project resulted in 1400 hectares of sawlog plantations, which will absorb around
500,000 tonnes of CO2 over 30 years. The landholders involved in this project retained the rights
to the carbon stored in their trees, which they may be able to sell to a buyer that wishes to offset
their emissions.

The project and learnings are well summarised in the following paper made to the Australian
Forest Growers Conference 2006.

How can a greenhouse investor get access to carbon in new tree sinks established on farmland,
without the expense of buying land and establishing the forest themselves? How can a landowner
grow trees and get paid for some of the carbon? How can we design carbon sinks to deliver
multiple benefits to society?

“Plantations for Greenhouse” is pilot Victorian Government project that aims to shed some light
on these questions – and the practicalities of joint established carbon sinks. This Dept. Primary
Industries delivered program is a $1.9M Victorian Greenhouse initiative that has seen 1350
hectares of new long term timber and carbon sink farm forests established across the state under
carbon sharing agreements.

An alternative to buying land for carbon production.

Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere

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The Keeling Curve of atmospheric CO2 concentrations measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory.

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth's atmosphere is approximately 390 ppm
(parts per million) by volume as of 2010[1] and rose by 1.9 ppm/yr during 2000-2009.[2] Carbon
dioxide is essential to photosynthesis in plants and other photoautotrophs, and is also a
prominent greenhouse gas. Despite its relatively small overall concentration in the atmosphere,
CO2 is an important component of Earth's atmosphere because it absorbs and emits infrared
radiation at wavelengths of 4.26 µm (asymmetric stretching vibrational mode) and 14.99 µm
(bending vibrational mode), thereby playing a role in the greenhouse effect.[3] The present level is
higher than at any time during the last 800 thousand years,[4] and likely higher than in the past 20
million years.[5]

The Plantations for Greenhouse project essentially set out to examine the scenario of how a third
party carbon investor might go about buying some of the carbon contained in the forests and on
the land owned by other parties. For their part, landowners committed over $2M of their own
funds to establish these new commercial forests and in the process offered over $4M worth of
land on which to grow these forests. If a different scenario were to eventuate where a prospective
carbon investor wished to also own the trees and the land then you can see that this can
drastically increase the total project costs. If prospective carbon pool managers are seeking to
collaborate with landowners, rather than purchasing land they may need to engage in joint or
cooperative design to ensure landowners achieve their own benefits from the new carbon sink
plantings. Essentially for Plantations for Greenhouse it was the fact that landowners themselves
owned the trees and sought to benefit from income derived from the plantations – that provided a
clear motivation for landowner participation. Also being open to the design aspirations of
landowners was also a key in improving participation rates.

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Some key learning’s.

The Plantations for Greenhouse project provides a valuable insight into the role of a “carbon
investor”. Some key learning’s include:

 commercial drivers for timber production can assist in the scale and economic
attractiveness of carbon sink establishment
 plantation growers and carbon owners have a mutual asset they both wish to manage,
measure and protect
 plantations offer an “income producing” carbon sink that provides income options for
landowners in future years (carbon rights can only be sold once, however timber income
can occur from each and every harvest)
 plantation based carbon sinks allow for future regional economic and employment
opportunities from future wood-flows
 well designed carbon plantations are able to deliver positive salinity and biodiversity
outcomes - CMA’s can assist by clearly indicating their preferred zones
 cooperative carbon ownership can be achieved without the expense of buying land and
planting it all yourself – the key is in the design of your carbon project
 there is a poor appreciation of the valuable role managed plantations can play in
greenhouse mitigation. There is a public perception that once you harvest the tree all
carbon gains are
lost. Will require increased communication effort to get this message across.
 over 100 years multiple cycles of carbon can be grown and cycled through a single
hectare of a plantation estate. Most focus to date revolves around the carbon story
within the first rotation only – we need to broaden this view to include longer term
considerations.
 there are many advantages to working with smaller scale projects, however from a
carbon pool manager’s point of view this can add significant to the cost of project
delivery
 while much focus of this project has been based around carbon benefits of plantations
and possible carbon trading, it appears the actual risks posed to longer term forest crops
via a changing climate regime need to be more widely investigated and understood
 developing and building the capability of private carbon pool service providers will be a
key aspect to attracting future carbon investments into new plantation estates when
greenhouse emissions trading schemes finally arrive

Plantation forests

 It is difficult, as others have commented, to define either "afforestation" or "plantation

forests" precisely. In particular, it is often not easy to distinguish between afforestation
and either rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems or enrichment planting, or
between plantation forests and various forms of trees on farms. The definition proposed
by FAO to the 1967 World Symposium on man-made forests and their industrial
importance, which uses as its criterion land use changes associated with afforestation or
reforestation, has been the basis of subsequent official estimates (eg Pandey 1995), and is
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 adopted here for the sake of consistency. However, any consideration of plantation
forests should acknowledge that the distinction between them and some other forms of
forestry is not always clear; thus, definitions, discussion and estimates vary.

Conclusions

Successful plantation forestry will continue to depend on effective research, development

and management, and on innovation and technological advances. It will also depend increasingly
on recognition of and respect for the principle of sustainability, in its full sense. Plantation
forestry is merely a technology for delivering the benefits of trees to society; the appropriate
form of that technology will vary with social, environmental and economic circumstance. What
is clear is that the sustainability of plantation forestry will be enhanced, and the benefits of
investments most fully realised, where plantation purpose and practice are embedded within the
broader social and economic contexts. Because these vary, so too will the appropriate form of
plantation forestry.

In realising the considerable potential of plantation forestry to benefit society, one of the
principal challenges to plantation forest owners, managers and scientists is to progress from a
narrow focus, which has characterised as "monocultures of the mind", to a broader appreciation
of plantation purpose and practice. We are well-placed to do so, by building on the considerable
body of experience and information we have gained relevant to plantation and other forms of
forestry in many environments. It is in doing so that we shall sustain plantation forestry in the
next century, and maximise its benefits.

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