"It necessary to increase the areas under forests” why? Give five important reasons

"It necessary to increase the areas under forests” why? Give five important reasons.

A large part of our forests was cleared for industrial uses, cultivation, pastures and fuel wood. Thus, a necessity of increasing the area under forests becomes important in India.
The five important reasons to increase the areas under forests are
(i) To maintain the ecological balance It is necessary for maintaining ecological balance and absorption of carbon dioxide.
(ii) To regulate the flow of rivers Forests regulate the flow of rivers both in the rainy and dry seasons by absorbing or releasing water systematically. In this way, they reduce the chances of both floods and droughts.
(iii) To provide natural habitat to wildlife Forests provide natural habitat to wildlife and in this way they help in their preservation.
(iv) To help in precipitation or rainfall Forests help precipitations or rainfall and thus minimise the possibility of droughts.
(v) To conserve the soil Forests play an important role in the conservation of soils as the roots of the trees do not allow the soil to flow away with the water.