ASSESSMENTS OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF FOREST COVER CHANGES, DEFORESTATION RATES, ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES: A CASE STUDY OF CHAUPAHARI JUNGLE, BIRBHUM DISTRICT (WEST BENGAL, INDIA)

Abstract

Forest considered as a lungs of nature, because of its great significance on our ecosystem. But its economic importance it has become as open treasure to human society. And the result is deforestation. In the present age of mechanized civilization in the name of development deforestation has been taking place. Extensive deforestation has caused entropy in ecosystem (like loss of biodiversity, global warming, ozone depletion etc.) and above all on human society. Generally, greater importance is given to the conservation of those forest which covered large areas (reserve forest, national park), but localized forest (less extensive) which has a significant impact on the local climate and human, is the most vulnerable, being neglected by the authorities or people. In this regard this paper highlights spatio-temporal changes of Chaupahari jungle, Birbhum district (West Bengal, India) from 1990-2021 and predicted for the year of 2030 using the current disturbance scenario with help of RS-GIS technique. Over the 31 years periods shows that this deciduous forest primarily being degraded in the form of anthropogenic pressure. Forest are natures precious gift to mankind, which play a vital role to maintain a stable environment. So, deforestation rate in the study area has serious repercussion for natural resources, ecology and socio-economic condition of the locals. To secure future and improvement of this forest adequate attention are required which promote stress free environment.