Depletion of Natural Forest Areas in Odisha: Causes and Effects

Deforestation & forest degradation are matters of global concern. The ever increasing concentration of carbon dioxide & other green house gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere is uniting the nations like never before to work out a strategy for mitigating climate change & also for devising ways of adaptation in the changing global environment. Forests are the natural sinks of carbon dioxide. They hold huge potential in carbon sequestration & hence are at the centre of global initiatives like REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) & REDD Plus. Forest cover depletion is a global phenomenon. The landuse change in forest ecosystems is taking place in all the continents in varying degrees. The causative factors vary from place to place & its effects are also different for different stakeholders. The present book is providing a ringside view of the realities of causes & effects of forest cover depletion in Odisha, a well forested state of India. It attempts to understand the direct, intermediate & underlying causes of forest cover depletion in this state & also endeavors to understand its effects on the local communities including their livelihoods. A very useful book for forestry professionals, administrators, planners, researchers, academicians, environmentalists, policy makers & nature lovers alike.