What is deforestation ? List the causes of deforestation.

Deforestation is the cutting and clearing of a forest and its conversion into a non-forested one.  

Causes for Deforestation

(i) Conversion of forests into agricultural land to feed the growing human population.

(ii) Clearing of forests for making homes and establishing industries.

(iii) Excessive cutting of trees for trees for timber, fire wood, etc.

(iv) Practising of agricultural methods like Jhum cultivation in the north-eastern states which involves cutting down of trees and burning its remains to form fertilizers.

(v) Natural calamities like fire, floods and droughts that lead to destruction of the forest.