Question

Afforestation should be with
A. Exotic species
B. Indigenous species
C. Bamboos
D. Eucalyptus

Answer 1

Hint: Afforestation is attained to overcome environmental degradation. The increased demand for forest products, agricultural demands, infrastructure development, and city expansions have led to the depletion of land available for growing forest vegetation. This has directly impacted the environment, led to deforestation, and has resulted in biological diversity destruction, manifested soil erosion, loss of cropland, floods, etc. to name a few.

Step by step answer:Afforestation can be defined as the process of planting or adding trees to a barren land that previously did not have any plantation or forestation on it. Reforestation can be described as one form of afforestation. However, reforestation is planting or adding trees on a land where there was once a forest but has now gone barren due to environmental degradation. Afforestation helps in cultivating new eco-systems and overcoming climate change. One of the major factors affecting the growth and health of new plants is climate change. Fluctuating temperatures, drought, heavy rainfalls, humidity, etc. to name a few can affect afforestation. Therefore, it is necessary to keep in mind that the type of plantation being used can adapt to climate change. One of the major causes of deforestation is the increased demand for wood timber. As the plantation process is slow compared to the increasing demand for wood timber, this results in deforestation.
-Exotic Species: Exotic species are plant species that are inaccessible locally and are introduced from foreign countries. Large varieties of exotic species have been introduced into India from overseas. These species grow and prosper without any obstacle as they are introduced in the absence of their natural enemies that are required to control and balance their spread. For example, Water hyacinth and lantana are known to have caused harm to the environment by multiplying rapidly and transforming into weeds. Some exotic plants could hinder the growth of native plants, therefore it is necessary to choose those portions of the plant that will co-exist with the natural ecosystem.
-Indigenous Species: Indigenous species are plant species that are available locally or are native to a given region or ecosystem. These species are preferred for large-scale reforestation and afforestation as they are well acclimatized to local climatic and soil conditions. Native species are familiar and valued by local communities for their non-timber benefits. Hence, it can be beneficial in reforestation and afforestation projects. For example, Alsophila spinulosa (Wall. ex Hook.) Tryon is indigenous to Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling), Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in India.
-Bamboos: Bamboos are evergreen perennial flowering plants of Bambusoideae. They belong to the grass family Poaceae. These species are native to Asia-Pacific regions and are found in diverse climates ranging from cool mountainous regions to hot tropical regions. They are found in the west of India and the Himalayas including Korea, Australia, Japan, and China.
-Eucalyptus: Also known as gum trees, these are species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees of the genus Eucalyptus. They belong to the family Myrtaceae. Most species of Eucalyptus are found to be indigenous to Australia.
Hence option B is correct.

Note: Over the past two decades, India and China have led to an increase in the earth’s greenery, according to a NASA study. The Indian Government has the (CAMPA) Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority Law, allotting almost $6 billion (40 thousand crores rupees) to Indian states for planting trees.