Name: Wildlife of Goa
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 7 min 25 s
Description: With the coastal margin on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, Goa offers a unique habitat for diverse wildlife. Let’s learn about them!

Question

What are the direct uses of forests?

Accepted Answer

Forests have numerous direct uses that contribute to both the ecological balance and the economy.

Ecologically, forests play a vital role in maintaining the oxygen-carbon dioxide balance in the atmosphere.

They increase transpiration, which leads to higher humidity and acts as a natural cooling agent, influencing weather patterns.

Forests also prevent soil erosion by firmly holding the soil, reducing surface runoff, recharging groundwater, and enriching soil fertility through the decomposition of organic matter.

From an economic perspective, forests provide direct benefits.

They have been a significant source of food for forest-dependent communities, offering products like berries, nuts, and plums.

Additionally, forests serve as a major source of fuelwood in developing countries.

They provide commercially important products such as latex, quinine, gum, resin, camphor, cork, and dhoop.

Many forest plants have medicinal value and are used in traditional treatments like Ayurveda and Unani.

Forests also serve as a crucial source of raw material, particularly timber, for various industries such as construction, furniture, paper, and pulp.

Finally, forests contribute to eco-tourism, attracting visitors to areas like the Bandipur forest in Karnataka.

What are the direct uses of forests?

Important Questions on Forest and Wildlife Resources

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