DEFORESTATION- A SOCIO-LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Forests are not only mere providers of forest products but also offer various services like providing a mechanism of carbon sequestration and evading big disasters by preventing soil erosion, floods, landslides apart from being home to humans as well as diverse species. Recently there has been growing awareness and realization with regard to the role that forests play- as drivers of national growth. With growing population, needs and knowledge, the responsibility of forest sector is now not only limited to meeting the environmental concerns but encompasses livelihood issues which in turn will affect the economic and social needs of the country.