Deforestation: A continuous battle-a case study from central Asia and other countries

Abstract

Deforestation is a plague that is not new to the earth, but it has certainly accelerated in the past few decades. A reduction in the number of forest canopies has increased at an alarming rate. Forestry is important because of its eminent use as biofuels, as source of food and earnings, and in mitigating climatic changes. This global problem needs to be addressed, controlled, and coordinated in an efficient manner. The chapter focuses on the policies practiced in the Central Asian states and other countries in the world being practiced to eradicate and control deforestation rates. Forest management practices focus on balancing rate of deforestation and growth, increasing product yield, and enhancing services obtained from forests. Measures such as legality of forest lands, establishment of public frontier institutions, forest management certification, and provision of incentives can result in implementation of forest management practices on ground level.