Whether it's the floods of Himachal or Indonesia, wherever trees were cut, destruction and death followed. Our elders used to say - forests symbolize life. Today, science echoes the same. Yet, we remain oblivious and continue to deforest millions of hectares annually. The consequences are glaring - the devastating floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh 2023-2024, Kerala floods, the calamity in Uttarakhand, and the annual floods and landslides in Indonesia. The common denominator? Depleted forests.
Forests are not just timber reserves; they stabilize mountains. Tree roots firmly bind the soil, preventing landslides even during heavy rains. Trees absorb rainwater, releasing it slowly, averting flash floods. They also contribute to cloud formation. With deforestation, mountains become barren, and the loose soil easily washes away. Just one heavy rain, and entire mountains turn into rivers.
Also read: Indonesia: Consequences of Deforestation! Nature's Revenge Left Several Villages Wiped Out, 836 Dead
In the last two years, what transpired in Himachal should never be forgotten. To plant apple orchards and construct resorts, forests in places like Kullu, Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur were decimated. Roads were widened at the expense of thousands of trees. What was the outcome? The cloudbursts in July-August 2023 and 2024 swept through Himachal. Hundreds perished, thousands of homes were destroyed, and losses reached billions. Once secure areas now sleep in fear of landslides.
Source: aajtak
In Indonesia, such scenes recur annually. Vast stretches of forest were cleared for palm oil cultivation. Now, with rainfall, areas like Java, Sumatra, and Borneo face catastrophic floods and landslides. In 2021-2022, thousands succumbed in a single year. Where forests once absorbed water, now there are muddy rivers.
Haiti (2004, 2008) – Near-total deforestation led to over 5000 deaths in storms
In Haiti, 98% of the forest was destroyed for charcoal. When storms Jean in 2004 and four hurricanes in 2008 struck, mountain soil drained into the sea. Thousands of villages vanished overnight. But in neighboring Dominican Republic, where forests were preserved, damage was minimal. The only difference was the trees.
Also read: New 'Earthquake Map' Reveals Shocking Insights... Increasing Danger in Delhi-NCR, Dehradun-Rishikesh, and Across the Himalayas
China – The 1998 Yangtze River flood disaster (exceeding 4000 deaths)
Between 1950-1980, extensive deforestation occurred in the upper Yangtze River region. Heavy rains in 1998 faced no barriers, leading to more than 4000 deaths and 18 million people displaced. Consequently, China launched the world's largest tree-planting campaign.
Source: aajtak
Brazil - Amazon deforestation led to unprecedented floods and drought from 2021-2024
The Amazon is known as the planet's lung. Over 20% has been deforested in the past two decades. What is the outcome? Unprecedented floods on one side and record droughts on the other. In 2024, Manaus faced dry rivers, while floods ravaged other areas. Scientists assert the Amazon's trees were crucial for South America's rainfall, but now, with fewer trees, the climate has gone haywire.
Kerala, India – The consecutive floods of 2018 and 2019 (approximately 500 deaths annually)
Unchecked deforestation in the Western Ghats for resorts, rubber plantations, and mines led to the most catastrophic floods in a century in 2018, submerging all of Kerala in just a week. The following year saw a repeat. Scientific reports still caution - further deforestation of 60% of the Western Ghats means regular flooding in Kerala.
Also read: Why Delhi-NCR's Pollution Gets 'Locked': Discover the Himalayan-Aravalli Connection
According to the USDA Forest Service, the roots of forests bind soil up to 50,000 times stronger. IIT Kanpur's 2021 study reveals one hectare of dense forest can absorb 30,000 liters of rainwater within an hour. The World Resources Institute states that deforestation amplifies soil erosion rates by 500 to 1000 times. Trees extract moisture from the air to form clouds. The Amazon alone contributes to 20% of South America's rainfall.
Source: aajtak
A mature tree can evaporate 400 liters of water in a single day, essentially controlling the climate. Without forests, rainfall rapidly cascades down mountains, carrying soil with it and triggering landslides and floods.
We often declare - lessons learned. Yet, another project is sanctioned the following year. A new resort emerges. Thousands of trees are felled for new roads. The government claims - we need development. But is this progress, earning today to burden future generations with floods and droughts?
Also read: Warnings Ignored Before Wayanad's Deadly Landslide, New Report Unveils
We must realize - deforestation is a self-dug grave. Nature accounts for every felled tree, exacting revenge through water and soil for every exposed mountain. Himachal, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Indonesia, Haiti - these serve as dire warnings. If unheeded, our names may soon be on the list of those affected by the next flood.
Enact stringent laws - ensure no tree is felled without scientific reason. For every tree removed, plant tenfold. Cease large-scale hotel and resort development in mountainous regions. Grant village councils authority to conserve forests. We need to choose wisely - wealth or survival?
