98 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2) It damaged the protective vegetation over both above and below roads,
(3) It resulted in debris covering forests vegetation, orchards and agriculture fields,
(4) It blocked natural drainage,
(5) It polluted streams;
(6) It delayed vehicular traffic,
(7) It caused damage to human life and property.(5) Industries and Mining
These have a serious impact in forest areas. Large areas have been clear-felled and laid
barren consequent to open cast mining of iron ore, mica, coal, manganese, limestone etc.
Environmental impact of mining includes loss of production for the following reasons:
(1) The forests, agriculture turned into pastures,
(2) The loss of top soil,
(3) The surface water pollution,
(4) The lowering of ground water table,
(5) Ore transport hazards such as damage to vegetation, soil drainage, water quality
and property, sediment production and discharge, fire hazards and air pollution.(6) Development Projects
There are hasty approaches to formulation of developmental projects particularly hydro-
electric besides those on tourism, road building and mining.
(7) Commercial Demand
In comparison of commercial demand supply fell short and led to decimation of forests,
particularly the wood. Consequently there has been unlimited exploitation of timber for
commercial use.
(8) Over grazing
The goat is considered to be the most serious agent of forest grazing. The goat has been
aptly called “the razor of forests” (Maydell, 1980). In the topics and subtopics, the stock of
goats is above 300 million. Destruction primarily affects the shrub and tree vegetation
where goats prevent regeneration and damage established plant. When the vegetation cover
is destroyed, it leads to soil erosion and irreversible destruction of ecosystem.
Goats are particularly destructive to trees and shrubs because they eat virtually all
parts of forest plants including young shoots, twigs, fruits and bark. In the thickly vegetated
moist forests, goat grazing does not cause serious damage, but in the arid zones where
vegetation is already sparse, the goats become a serious menace.
There occur different types of desertification in various continents and ecosystems. Two
main objectives for mapping desertification have been identified as under:
(1) To assist decision-makers to understand the various dimensions of desertification,
(2) To assist scientists to make the best choice in selecting strategies for desertification
control, to reduce the impact of land degradation. Mapping and landscape dynamics
simulation in arid regions prone to desertification is also being undertaken.