What does “Overexploitation of forest” mean? How can we control the effects of overgrowth of the population on forests?

People living in all regions are destroying forests in a rapid way. They exploit forests for obtaining firewood, furniture, fodder, etc. Livestock farming is very common among Nepali people in all ecological regions. Drought, aridity, during up water resources, the disappearance of springs, drinking water scarcity, extinction of wild species, change in season, global warming, and several other ecological hazards are witnessed due to overexploitation of forests. In order to prevent these effects, the following mitigating measures should be adopted honestly.

Common mitigating measures for all ecological regions:

• Forest conservation programs should be launched and executed effectively.
• People must be made aware to collect old and dry forest products for their household use. Young plants should be preserved for the sustainable use of forest resources.
• Effective laws and acts against deforestation, forest encroachment, and its exploitations should be enforced and implemented.
• Alternative sources of energy like hydroelectricity, solar energy, and biogas energy should be given priority. Such measures reduce the dependence of people on forest-based products for fuels.
• Applicable environment education should be included in school and higher education curricula.
• Afforestation program should be launched on barren mountain areas.
• People encroach forests near the dwelling areas, Such activities should be watched closely and appropriate legal steps should be taken to control them.