Page 321 - New Medley 4 Semester 1

• Critical thinking
Answer these questions.

1. In which type of forest does rosewood grow?
2. Name a tree that grows in the tidal forest.

Importance of Forests

Forests are very important for all of us. We get a large variety of useful
products from them. Some of them are fuelwood, timber, lac, resin, gum,

tendu leaves and medicinal herbs. The products are used for making

furniture, paper, plastics, rayon, paints, etc. The forests regulate the
weather and climate. They help in reducing air pollution and increasing
rainfall. The tribal people live in the forests and depend on them for

their survival. The forests also provide a natural home to wild animals.

A forest acts as a natural barrier to storms.

Save the Forests

We must protect forests. In some areas, the forests are cleared to provide

land for farming. The forests are also destroyed by fires.

The governments are also trying to save the forests through Social
Forestry and Vanamahotsavas. You can play an important role in
saving the trees. Sunderlal Bahuguna started the Chipko Movement in

the Alaknanda Valley.

Form small groups of students and plant trees in your neighbourhood.

Wildlife

The term wildlife includes animals, birds,

reptiles, insects, etc., living in the forest
areas. India has a large variety of wildlife.

The elephants, rhinoceros, hippos, tigers and
deer are found in the north-eastern States.

Wild asses roam in the dry areas of Rann of
Kachchh. Lions are found in the Gir Forests

of Gujarat. India has a large variety of deer, Indian rhinoceros
such as Kashmir stag, swamp deer, etc.

319