Crisis due to Deforestation

Due to continuing deforestation we are faced with a major ecological and socio-economic crisis. To reverse this trend of deforestation a National Wastelands Development Board was established in May, 1985, with the aim of bringing under productive use wastelands in the country through a massive programme of afforestation and tree planting. While doing so, it was aimed at restoring the disturbed ecological balance and providing employment opportunities in rural areas.

It was thought that this would lead to development of afforestation movement. Initially this programme was taken up with the object of bringing five million hectares of land every year under fuel wood and fodder plantations.