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Forests have been an integral part of human life since the
earliest times. They have provided shelter, transportation, and various products
essential for our daily needs. The value of forests has been recognized
throughout history, and measures have been taken to prevent their wanton and
needless destruction.
Wood has been the basic material used for shelter since primitive times. From
the wigwam to the African hut, wood has been used to build frames for housing to
provide protection from the elements and wild animals. Even today, wood remains
an important part of modern construction, from frames and doors to furniture.
Wood has also played a significant role in transportation. The wheel, possibly
discovered by observing a rolling tree trunk, revolutionized travel. Timber was
used in the construction of trishaws, carts, carriages, wagons, and even the
earliest automobiles. Wooden-framed and walled means of transportation, from
small boats to great sailing ships, enabled us to travel over land and water.
Forests provide important resources for modern industries, such as the
production of paper. Logs and timber are cut and turned into wood pulp for the
production of paper, including daily newspapers. The demand for paper is high,
and this underscores the importance of forests in our lives.
Forests are also a source of important oils, such as turpentine from North
American pine forests and palm oil from palm forests. Olive oil is produced from
olive trees, and the American sugar maple provides sugar from its sap. Other
forest products include flock for mattresses from the cotton trees of West
Africa and the shelter necessary for the growth of cocoa beans.
Forests play a vital role in preventing soil erosion. They protect the soil from
winds and water, and they revitalize the soil with humus and vegetable matter.
Forests also attract rain clouds, and clearing forests can lead to
desertification.
Forests provide habitat and shelter for wildlife and insects. Climbing shrubs,
flowers, and creepers thrive in the protective environment of forests. Whether
tropical, deciduous, or coniferous, forests offer natural beauty that humans can
appreciate.
The importance of forests makes it necessary to preserve them. The Forestry
Commission was established in Britain after World War I to address the severe
wood shortage caused by the war effort. The commission purchases old woods and
bare land and transforms them into modern forests using the latest scientific
knowledge and equipment. The modern forester grows trees much like a farmer
grows crops, planting and thinning them, and replacing felled trees with young
ones. Natural trees must be grown in reforestation efforts, taking into account
the indigenous species suitable for each location.
In conclusion, forests and the trees they are composed of are vital to our
existence. Their importance is reflected in the many ways they have contributed
to human life, from providing shelter and transportation to supplying essential
products for modern industries. Preserving forests ensures a sustainable supply
of timber and other forest products while protecting the environment and its
inhabitants. |
