CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION

Stop deforestation immediately!

The deforestation causes include many factors. The destruction of the forests is occurring due to various reasons, one of the main reasons being the short-term economic benefits. Corruption at the government institutions, wealth and power due to harvesting of the riches of the forest, population growth and urbanization are some of the common causes.

Urban Construction

The cutting down of trees for lumber that is used for building materials, furniture, and paper products have a major impact on forest life. Forests are cleared to accommodate expanding urban areas. This results in loss of forest area and massive deforestation.

Agriculture

Forests are also cut down to clear land for growing crops, build farms, ranches and other food growing lands.

Grazing Land

Forests are cut down in order create land for grazing cattle. Huge herds of animals require food and forests are cleared out to make way for grazing lands for these cattle.

Deforestation must stop now!

Used for Fuel

Trees are cut down in developing countries to be used as firewood or turned into charcoal, which are used for cooking and heating purposes.

Commercial Purposes

Some of the other causes are: clearing forests for oil and mining exploitation, to make highways and roads, slash and burn farming techniques, wildfires, and acid rain. Forest fires can occur naturally or in most cases are deliberate attempts by man to clear huge forests. Most of the time, these forests may recover, but usually the cleared land is used for construction and agriculture purposes. This leads to loss of forests and loss of habitat for the local wildlife.

Illegal Logging

Many government agencies are fighting illegal logging to protect the forests. However, any type of logging legal or illegal leads to deforestation. Trees are cut down indiscriminately by logging companies, to fulfill the demands of the wood market. This does not give a chance to the local wildlife and trees to regenerate and sustain themselves. Thus, leading to loss of wildlife forever.

Sources: 

• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-and-effects-of-deforestation.html
• http://www.zazzle.com/brown_stop_deforestation_personalized_announcement-161161262071430267