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To conserve this natural vegetation that exists from thousands of years, follow the given methods:
• Control deforestation: Due to rapid urbanisation and the construction of dams, forests are cut to clear land.
Cutting should be regulated by :
Clear cutting method: If the same types of trees are available
over a large area, then trees of the same age group can be cut
down in a selected area and then marked for replantation.
Selective cutting method: Only mature trees are selected for
cutting. This process is to be followed in rotation.
Shelter wood cutting method: Trees are cut on the basis of
their utility of providing timber. Trees of lesser importance are
cut first, followed by trees of moderate importance and at the end the best trees are considered.
• Control forest fire: Fire in forests sometimes occurs due to natural processes like lightning strikes or friction
between trees during high-speed winds. Sometimes, intentional or unintentional human activities may also
cause fire in forest. Precautions must be taken for such incidents like making fire lanes, spreading chemicals
to control fire, clearing out dry leaves and trees, etc. There must be a trained staff of fire-fighters to control
the fire.
• Afforestation and Reforestation: Afforestation is the process of planting more trees on land with few or no
trees i.e. creating a new forest. Reforestation is the process of planting more trees in an existing forest with
less number of trees due to forest fire or excessive cutting. These two methods will help restore the natural
vegetation which is important for maintaining the ecological balance.
Brainy Fact
Russia has the largest number of trees in the world, estimated at 642 billion trees. Next is Canada with
318 billion trees, and Brazil with 302 billion trees.
Saving Environment using 5R’s
With the rising population all over the world, we are constantly in the process of production and consumption of
natural and man-made resources. This has led to generation of waste products of different types. The organic waste
is decomposed on its own but the inorganic waste like plastic does not decompose naturally and accumulates for
years. The modern waste management techniques using 5R’s—Repurpose, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse will
definitely help in managing our waste sensibly, so that there is less damage to our environment.
Let us study what we need to do to follow 5R's in our daily practice of waste management:
REPURPOSE REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE REFUSE
Green Skills-I 145

