Forest Conservation is Necessary for the Development of Agriculture in Hills

Agriculture in hills is dependent on forests in many way and its development is very intimately linked with conservation and proper management of forests. Forests protect hill sides and agricultural fields, ensure perpetual of water in streams and rivers for irrigation and power generation, mitigate the rigours of climate and thus help in increasing agricultural production, help in maintaining ecological balance, augment supplies of fodder for cattle, supply fuel wood to release cowdung as manure, make available litter to be used as manure and meet the requirement of wood for agricultural implements. Forestry operations supplement the income of the farmers and provide money for the purchase of neccessary inputs for agriculture. Wood for making packing cases to pack fruits and vegetables is made available from forests. Agriculture in bills call not prosper in the absence of proper conservation and management of Forests.