In ancient times the earth was full of forests. The population was small. The human beings did not know what benefits they got from forests except that they got fuel,a few herbs and the hides of some animals. Hermits and Rishis often went to live in the forests to lead their life of meditation in the silence and in the midst of nature, undisturbed by human crowds. As days passed on, the people began to go to forests to hunt.In modern times science teaches us many truths about forests. The most important fact about forests is that they are necessary to produce good air . Plants take in the carbon-dioxide in he air and breathe out oxygen, They cause rainfall. They are the dwelling places of different species of birds and animals. They give us resin, honey, fuel and medical herbs.

The forests upon the mountains and plains as well as those in the valleys are of great use to us. They are full of fruit trees and flower plants. The trees give us materials to produce paper, palm-oil and wood or timber of different kinds. Sandal woods is precious because it is used to make medicine, soap, cosmetics and dilute sandal paste which we apply to our bodies during summer and on important occasions like marriages and religious festivals and ceremonies,

It is the forest trees that give us coal. Some people burn the trees in the mountain forests to get what we call burnt coal ( that is, half-burnt coal). The coal we get from the coal mines is nothing but what happens to trees when they lie buried in the earth for hundreds of years, The birds and animals in the forests give us meat, hide and bones. The tusks of elephants, and the flesh, the hides and bones of various animals are of great monetary values . They are used to produce different kinds of medicines, bags, oils ,combs,toys dyes and paint, paper and textiles. The color patterns of the leaves and the other parts of plants help the chemical and textile industries to manufacture different types of dyes and clothes. The trees give us fuel  oil and timber which we use in building dams bridges and in making furniture.

Forests make a rand rich.. They lend beauty of the landscape where they grow and inspire poets and meditative people. But it is  sad to note that many people destroy forests for fuel, and sell animal hides and bones and horns. They are making certain varieties of animals like the elephant, the rhinocerous the tiger and the monkey become almost extinct. Even snakes are killed  or captured to get their skins and poison for the purpose of making medicines and the outward coverings of trunks and money-purses.

Forests, with all their inmates, should be treated as out perennial store-houses and providers of the basic materials of our essential needs like medicines clothes food shelter. When a forest is destroyed by greedy or thoughtless people, they harm several generations of the people of its area and its surroundings. Knowing the values of forests, modern governments are growing artificial forests, guarding the existing natural forests and resorting to afforestation.

Thank you,

R.Rajkuamr