Value of forest was well understood by British govt as it is described in The Imperial Gazetteer Of India – part 3 (Economic).

 

Forest Cover India

When India is on the verge of server water crisis, this records should remind us critical role forest play in conserving water.  Our urban tree plantation drives are not enough.

Analysis of Changing Forest Cover and its Impact on Environment with Special Reference to Umtrew Basin, North East India

“The study elucidates that the population growth, migration, developmental activities and agricultural activities are the main driven force deforestation; however there is a spatial variation in contribution to the causative factors. Change in local population is directly related to forest degradation. In some places jhooming is one of the important problem. Agricultural expansion, development of industries caused the deforestation in many ways.It is observed from the analysis of satellite data of last thirty years; it becomes clear that the forest cover has been tremendously decreasing in the Umtrew basin. As a result, soil erosion and siltation on the river bed has already been increased manifold in the said area. The geo-environmental condition of this part has already been deteriorated. There is every possibility of micro climatic change due to such changes. So, this area needs more afforestation including the social forestry programme for restoring the conditions as prevailed earlier. Therefore, considering the trend of forest change there is an umpteen need to take protection measures in the Umtrew Basin to maintain the environmental quality, restricting the possibilities of micro climatic change and meet the national demand of forest cover.”

http://clarion.ind.in/index.php/clarion/article/view/30/44