Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ21473

Forest is a major resource and plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and environmental setup. Over utilisation of forest resource has resulted in its degradation. The changes in tropical forest cover are matter of global concern due to its ability to balance carbon cycle. Rich forest resource not only boosts economic development, it maintains sustainability of ecosystem and healthy environment. The prosperity and welfare of the society directly depends on sound and healthy forest cover of a region. In the present study and attempt has been made to analyze the impact of deforestation on environment of the study area and its management. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the present forest cover, to find out the causes and rate of deforestation; to assess deforestations’ impact and to suggest remedial measures to control deforestation and promote afforestation. District Etawah lying in the southwest of Uttar Pradesh has an area of 2,311 square km with the population of 15,81,810 (2011 census). In the district the forest blocks consists mostly of ravines and some wasteland. The Yamuna and Chambal ravines are very old. It appears that the ravines have been formed due to relative level of banks and the geological structure. The total forest area (reserve and protected belt) is 301.04 square kms, i.e., 13% of total geographical area. The forests are “Northern Acacia Shrub” type of forests “Sethi’s classification”. The flora of Etawah district comprises of 560 species out of 123 species bear medicinal value in the district. Deforestation is a common phenomena and its impact has been seen in the form of various geo-environmental problems. Soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, increase in temperature and decreasing rainfall, increasing carbon dioxide, etc, are the major problems of Etawah district.