What should be feared in the forest. The problem of dangerous trees. Escape from a wounded bear

Walk in the woods- it is always a joy from communicating with the world of wildlife, it causes a whole range of sensations and impressions, painted in spring-summer-autumn-winter colors. However, lovers of such trips must know: the forest is, first of all, the most complex complex of relationships between plants, animals, soils, sunlight and night darkness you, air and water.

man in the forest- a guest, and from the point of view of the forest inhabitants - an uninvited and uninvited guest, often not at all knowing the rules of behavior "away". Hence - accidents, emergencies, injuries, fears, legends and myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest is fraught with.

Animals living in the forest are a danger to humans. They are very diverse, but it is still possible to formulate a few general patterns in their behaviour:

1. Animals, especially birds and mammals, are significantly better than a man adapted to life in the forest. They have more advanced sense organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell for a wild animal is the strongest signal of danger.

2. One should not exaggerate the widespread opinion about the fearfulness of animals, especially large predators. For some of them, such as the bear and the tiger, a very common behavioral trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression.

3. Not people, but animals are in the forest on their territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a typical “violation of the border”, “invasion” with all the ensuing consequences.

4. In the animal world, in contrast to human society, the concepts of "alien" and "enemy", "unknown" and "dangerous" often coincide, so it is at least naive to count on a friendly attitude on the part of forest dwellers.

5. Animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from a person, inactive animals use various ways passive or active protection. Forest animals are unsurpassed masters of disguise, they know how to use all sorts of shelters.

6. The behavior of many animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly in certain periods their life cycle(reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger to humans increases dramatically.

7. Any species, even a widespread species, prefers certain habitats, and here the probability of an accidental meeting with animals of this species is higher.

Remember two fairly simple and accessible rules that will help you avoid many troubles. It is necessary to have an idea about the habits of animals and birds, plus be attentive and careful during forest walks.

Forest emergencies related to animals can be divided into two groups: an active attack by a potentially dangerous animal and accidents resulting from careless (or illiterate) handling of an animal, which in a normal situation is quite neutral towards a person.

In the main zone of settlement in Russia and Ukraine, situations of the first type are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals - a bear, a wolf, a tiger, a lynx, a leopard, an elk, a wild boar, a deer. Attacks that are not provoked by a person are quite rare. For example, a tiger attacks people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually, the beast attacks: in self-defense, while hunting, being caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals during this period are especially aggressive), protecting offspring, with persistent pursuit under - a wound or simply by a chance meeting with a person, with a sudden close contact "eye to eye".

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most of the sudden encounters with this animal end in its swift flight. Nevertheless, cases of unprovoked attacks on a person in the European part of Russia are noted almost every year. Unexpectedly, "go out to the bear", as a rule, pickers of mushrooms, berries and tourists. Sometimes a bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away. However, much more serious incidents are also known, when the beast literally besieged the hunting lodge - sometimes for almost a week! - and did not let people out of there. Cases of aggression of a bear disturbed in a winter den are quite common. However, such “dates” are easy to avoid, knowing the favorite bearish places in given forest(the bears are quite conservative in choosing the territory for the den) and avoid them as far as possible. A significant danger is fraught with a meeting with a wolf, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than attack. The well-known Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat remarkably described such a sudden meeting. “... We faced nose to nose. We were separated by some two meters ... We silently stared at each other. I don't know what was going on in his massive skull, but my head was filled with a swarm of unsettling thoughts. The amber eyes of a seasoned tundra wolf stared straight at me; apparently, he was heavier than me and, no doubt, had a much better command of unarmed combat techniques.

For several seconds neither of us moved, we continued to hypnotize each other with our eyes. The wolf broke the spell first. With a jump that would have done honor even to Russian dancers, he soared into the air and took to his heels ... "

IN last years experts note that people encounter wolves in the forest zone more often than before. Fans of forest walks, and especially long-distance routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden encounter with a wolf or a fox that is sick with rabies. Here the attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its "dazedness", angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, immediate, literally on the move, attack. The animal sometimes seems to spit; there is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. In no case should you approach them - they may have time to bite, and then a long treatment will be necessary.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going to the forest it would be useful to get information from the SES about the foci of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only the correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

In recent years, due to the emergence of numerous holiday villages, another serious problem has arisen - feral dogs that huddle in packs, often large ones. Animals are very aggressive, secretive and cunning (learned from humans). Meeting with a flock is extremely dangerous in the same cases as with other predators. If such dogs fell on you, we advise you to use a peculiar method of protection. Since many of these animals still remember communication with a person, a sharp and imperative shout “no!” often helps.

Wild ungulates common for Russian and Ukain forests- moose, wild boars, deer, roe deer - are much more shy and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, leave a person. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger. There are cases when an elk kept a tree “under siege” for hours, on which an unlucky tourist or hunter escaped from an angry elk.

How to avoid an unwanted meeting with a wild beast? Perhaps, the best way- Minimize the risk of collision. Refrain from traveling to areas where predator encounters are common; do not appear in the favorite habitats of dangerous animals. If you still went on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, crushed grass and undergrowth, peeled bark on trees, droppings, feeding places, and sometimes the remains of prey. Wolves, the first to smell a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, sonorous barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially young animals. Boars during the rut or feeding behave so noisily that it is not so difficult to notice them. Animal paths, impassable, overgrown with bushes and littered areas of the forest, windbreaks should be avoided. In such places, there is a high probability of meeting an animal, and besides, it is extremely inconvenient to retreat here. Going into the forest (best not alone), be sure to tell about where you are going to go and when you plan to return.

But what if an unpleasant date still happened? First of all, don't lose your presence of mind! Try not to panic. Experienced hunters believe that the animal feels when a person is afraid of him, your fear will only spur aggression, i.e., the instinct of an attack on a weaker opponent may work in the animal. No sudden movements and piercing screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare the beast in this way, and not attract the beast. However, sometimes the scream actually confuses the animal and even turns it into a stampede. Stories are told about how a man, spreading his arms, ran screaming towards a bear, and he retreated in fear. However, not everyone is capable of such actions!

When meeting a bear or a tiger, you should not turn your back on the beast: he will regard such a pose as proof of your weakness. From danger, a person naturally tries to run away, but in this case, running away is good only if you are absolutely sure that you will reach a safer place (for example, a hunting lodge, a tree, a car, etc.) faster than a predator, and to do this in forest conditions is extremely difficult. It is almost impossible to run away from a bear or a tiger; besides, in all predators, the flight of the prey only warms up the desire to pursue it. Experts, as the best way out of the situation, are advised to freeze in place, and then as calmly as possible, backing away, retreat and, only having retired 10-15 meters, also slowly, sideways retreat. At these moments, it is very important not to provoke the predator to aggressive behavior by excessive courage or, on the contrary, cowardice, not to aggravate the situation, which at the very beginning is rather neutral than frankly dangerous. The experience of unexpected encounters with a tiger shows that in about 80% of cases the animal does not show aggression at the first moment, behaves “cognitively”, does not leave the person, but does not approach him either. A tiger can simply stand still and look in the direction of a stranger, and then retire with dignity.

Experienced people do not advise looking directly into the eyes of a predator for a long time, since such a look (and a person, numb with fear, usually stares at the animal) can be perceived as rivalry and will only spur aggression.

Retreating, you need to carefully monitor the facial expressions of the animal in order to predict its intentions. A bear, for example, has a good "indicator" of a relatively calm state - ears standing upright. If the ears are pressed to the head, the hair on the back of the neck stands on end, the beast shows its teeth, trembles, hunches a little, it means that it is really angry and ready to attack.

When you are faced with large predator nose to nose, remember that there is a certain critical distance, under which the situation will still remain quite neutral and the beast will most likely not dare to attack first, but will only frighten. If the distance is less than critical, then the predator may feel cornered and go ahead, i.e., rush at the person. Therefore, suddenly finding yourself, for example, directly in front of a bear, move a few meters to the side, keeping a critical distance.

While in the forest, it is sometimes worth making your presence known (by voice or in another way), as if warning the animals and giving them the opportunity to leave. In general, if a person is not on the hunt, the most correct thing for him is to go noisily, speak loudly or hum. But here exclusively dangerous predator, a connecting rod bear, the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract.

Experienced hunters also talk about more "exotic" ways of behavior at critical moments of a meeting with a predator. This, for example, is the “persuasion” of the animal: the person began to talk affectionately about something and the calm intonation softened the aggressive tension of the animal. In some cases, objects thrown aside helped - a backpack, a hat, a sweater, food; they diverted the attention of the predator and gave time to retreat. Another way to reduce the aggression of the beast is to pretend to be dead, as some small animals do. It is recommended to fall on your side, if possible curl into a ball, reducing the surface of the body, and hide your head. It is likely that the beast will sniff, touch or even move you for a long time - you need to be prepared and endure for this.

To avoid direct contact with a predator, all methods are good, since an unprepared person has very few chances to emerge victorious in a fight with a tiger, wolf or bear. Meanwhile, experts note that hand-to-hand combat with brown bear more often ends in serious injuries than death on the spot, the beast is more likely to “remember”, but not kill. There were cases when hunters, having fallen into the “arms” of a bear, acted so decisively and courageously (any means were used, up to blows to a sensitive nose and bites!), That the beast retreated.

Nevertheless, let us remind you once again: there are no rules of conduct that would guarantee an unarmed person absolute safety when meeting with a large predator. Most importantly, try to avoid encountering wild animals.

Another type of emergencies is the careless handling of seemingly harmless forest dwellers. Unfortunately, such emergencies happen much more often than attacks by large animals, and the person himself is primarily to blame for them.

From this point of view, many forest animals can be considered as potentially dangerous. First of all, it is an extensive and diverse group of poisonous animals.

Under certain circumstances, the danger is represented by arachnids and insects, especially biting and stinging - beetles, ants, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, butterflies. These small mobile animals, almost imperceptible in dense grass or bushes, are able to penetrate the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, which can lead to serious injuries, especially in children. Halts and overnight stays on a hike should be done away from places of accumulation of social insects; We also advise you to carefully check the clothes. Explain to young children that it is strictly forbidden to take insects in your hands, and even more so in your mouth, since even the most “kind” beetle will always have means of protection - spines, “jaws”, bad smell, caustic substances, etc.

Despite large-scale preventive measures, there is a threat of infection with serious diseases, which can be carried by forest insects. First of all, flies should be mentioned here. They carry pathogenic microorganisms (causative agents of dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria) on their lanks and proboscis. These insects are especially dangerous near forest dumps. A person is “owed” to ticks by such serious diseases as tick-borne encephalitis and piroplasmosis. No less dangerous are fleas (they carry plague and tularemia) and blood-sucking mosquitoes, which not only cause pain with bites, but also carry a number of pathogens. Perhaps the simplest and most accessible method of preventing the bites of these animals is a thorough examination of exposed areas of the body immediately after each visit to the forest, as well as the use of a wide arsenal modern means repelling insects. And of course - preventive vaccinations, thanks to which the frequency and severity of diseases has been significantly reduced.

Small and medium-sized predatory mammals belonging to the mustelid family (badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten, black polecat, European mink, otter) are harmless only at first glance. Remember that mustelids are, although relatively small in size, but still the most real and very energetic predators capable of active and aggressive defense; when protecting the young, they are able to seriously bite. There are cases when a badger, disturbed in its hole, severely bit the hunting dogs and the hunters themselves, which they would never do first when they accidentally met a person. Some animals (for example, weasel, polecat, ermine) are not devoid of curiosity and willingly visit settlements, and in the forest they can approach the campsite of tourists, especially at night.

It is not superfluous to recall once more about such an “iron” rule of behavior in the forest as a ban on destroying animal shelters - burrows, nests, etc. A person who violates this rule not only behaves unworthily towards our smaller brothers, but also exposes his own health and life to serious danger, because in the face of the loss of his own home or the death of offspring, the most peaceful creature “goes wild”.

In conditions of limited visibility, especially at night, any animal, even a harmless one, can be very frightening, especially a child, with a loud cry, a sudden sharp movement, or simply appearance(For example, non-venomous snakes). People sometimes had heart attacks from fright, when not only such a large bird like capercaillie, but even hazel grouse. The sharp and noisy takeoff of birds is nothing more than an active defense, designed to bring the predator into a state of shock for a moment. In the forest, with relative isolation, fright is much more difficult to bear and sometimes leads to severe stress, psychological trauma. Here you always need to be internally prepared for fear, for the fact that you can hear or see something “terrible”.

Study the habits of wild animals, then the fear of them will recede, and forest dwellers will favorably accept you into their "company".

seems possible. At the entrance to the forest at 8 o'clock the sun was shining directly into your eyes. The railroad tracks remain behind your back perpendicular to your direction of travel. Gathering mushrooms, you did not notice that the clouds covered the sun. It began to drizzle, and it got colder. You will try to navigate using the signs of local objects. Which? Indicate at least 5 signs of local objects by which you can determine the sides of the horizon. Explain in more detail.
Answer: (answer option):
The definition of the sides of the horizon according to the signs of local objects is based on the position of these objects in relation to the sun:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Task 2. Based on knowledge in the field environment and danger Everyday life, determine the actions to be taken to avoid being bitten by a tick.
Answer:

Task 3. A group of tourists is moving along the route. suddenly worsened weather, heavy rain began, the wind rose, the terrain was difficult to pass. The team leader was able to communicate mobile phone about the approximate location of the group. Determine what decision the leader should make and what is the algorithm of the group's actions in this situation.
For the second part of the question, you must specify at least 4 positions (group action algorithm).
Answer:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Task 4.
All tourist equipment is divided into three types: personal, group and special. Determine the type of equipment: compass, bicycles, clothes, sleeping bag, maps, dishes, backpack, ropes, cooking utensils, shoes, axes, schemes, boats, tent, life jackets, washing supplies. Enter it in the table.

Personal equipment Group equipment Special equipment

1 task.
1. We moved to the east, behind the west.
2. The anthill on the south side is more gentle.
3. Moss covers the rocks on the north side.
4. The branches of the trees are wider and thicker on the south side (by the way, beyond the Arctic Circle, where I also observed this now).
5. Mushrooms appear from the north side of the trees.
6. In summer, the soil near the trees is more humid from the north.

2 task.

1. Cover open areas of the body.
2. Use sprays and ointments from ticks.
3. Avoid tick habitats.
4. Avoid dense thickets and thickets.

3 task.

1. Set up tents, make a fire, change the group into dry clothes or just take off wet clothes.
2. Locate the parking lot near an open area so that it is easy to notice signs of people from the air.
3. Post identification marks (red matter).
4. Leave sentries to report to the head if a search group is found.

4 task.

Personal: bicycle, clothes, sleeping bag, shoes, backpack, washing accessories, dishes.
Group: axes, dishes, ropes, tent, cooking utensils.
Special: compass, maps, diagrams, life jackets.

Answer

Grade

The forest is a complex ecosystem that combines plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms and, state drinking water, .

Millennia ago, almost the entire Earth was covered with forests. They spread to North America, occupied a significant proportion Western Europe. The vast territories of Africa, South America and Asia were dense forests. But with the growth in the number of people, their active development of land for economic needs, the process of deforestation and mass deforestation began.

What are the benefits of forests?

People use the forest for many purposes: they get food, medicines, raw materials for the paper industry.

Wood, needles and tree bark are raw materials for many branches of the chemical industry. About half of the extracted wood goes to fuel needs, and a third goes to construction.

A quarter of all medicines used come from plants rainforest. Through photosynthesis, forests give us oxygen to breathe while absorbing carbon dioxide.

Trees protect the air from poisonous gases, soot and other pollution, noise. Phytoncides produced by the majority coniferous plants destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

Forests are habitats for many animals - they are the real pantries of biological diversity. They are involved in creating a favorable microclimate for agricultural plants.

Forest areas protect the soil from erosion processes by preventing surface runoff of precipitation. The forest is like a sponge that first accumulates and then releases water to streams and rivers, regulates the flow of water from the mountains to the plains, and prevents floods.

The most deep river world - the Amazon, and the forests included in its basin are considered the lungs of the Earth.

Damage from deforestation

Despite the fact that forests are a renewable resource, the rate of their deforestation is too high - they simply cannot keep up with us.

Millions of hectares of deciduous and coniferous forests. Tropical forests, which are home to more than 50% of the species that exist on Earth, used to cover 14% of the planet, and now only 6%.

India's forested areas have shrunk from 22% to 10% in the last half century. Coniferous forests of the central regions of Russia are being destroyed, forests on Far East and in Siberia, and swamps appear on the site of clearings. Valuable pine and cedar forests are cut down.

Deforestation is. The deforestation of the planet leads to sharp temperature changes, changes in the amount of precipitation and wind speeds.

Burning forests causes carbon monoxide pollution in the air, more carbon monoxide is emitted than is absorbed. Also, when forests are cleared, carbon is released into the air, which accumulates in the soil under the trees. This contributes about a quarter of the process of creating a greenhouse effect on Earth.

Many areas left without forest as a result of deforestation or fires become deserts, as the loss of trees leads to the fact that a thin fertile layer of soil is easily washed away by precipitation.

Desertification causes a huge number of ecological refugees - ethnic groups for whom the forest was the main or only source of existence. Many inhabitants of the forest territories disappear along with their home.

Plants of irreplaceable species used to obtain medicines, and many biological resources valuable to mankind are being destroyed. More than a million biological species living in tropical forests are under threat of extinction.

Soil erosion that develops after logging leads to floods, since nothing can stop the flow of water. Floods are caused by a violation of the level of groundwater, as the roots of trees that feed on them die.

For example, as a result of extensive deforestation at the foot of the Himalayas, Bangladesh began to suffer from large floods every four years.

Previously, floods occurred no more than twice every hundred years. So, for example, diamond mining in Yakutia became possible only after cutting down and flooding a significant amount of forest.

Why and how are forests cut down?

Forests are cut down for the sake of mining, obtaining timber, clearing the area for pastures, and obtaining agricultural land.

And as the cheapest raw material, it is used in almost all and other products. And that is killing the rainforests, and depriving a lot of animals of their homes.

Forests are divided into three groups:

1. Forest areas forbidden for deforestation, playing, which are reserves.
2. Forests of limited exploitation, located in densely populated areas, are strictly controlled for their timely restoration.
3. The so-called operational forests. They are cut down completely and then re-sown.

There are several types of felling in forestry:

Main felling- this is the harvesting of the so-called ripe forest for wood. They can be selective, gradual and continuous. Clear cuts destroy all trees except seedlings. With gradual cutting process is carried out in several stages. With a selective type, only individual trees are removed according to a certain principle, and in general the territory remains covered with forest.

Plant care cabin. This species includes cutting down plants that are not practical to leave. Destroy plants the worst quality while at the same time thinning and clearing the forest, improving its lighting and providing nutrients to the remaining more valuable trees. This allows you to increase the productivity of the forest, its water-regulating properties and aesthetic qualities. Wood from such cuttings is used as a technological raw material.

Complex. These are reshaping fellings, reforestation and reconstructive fellings. They are carried out in cases of loss of forest useful properties in order to restore them, the negative impact on the environment with this type of felling is excluded. Cutting favorably affects the clarification of the territory and eliminates root competition for more valuable breeds trees.

Sanitary. Such felling is carried out to improve the health of the forest, increase its biological stability. This type includes landscape felling, carried out in order to create forest park landscapes, and felling to create fire breaks.

The strongest intervention clear felling. Negative consequences causes overcutting of trees when more of them are destroyed than grows in a year, which causes depletion forest resources. In turn, undercutting can cause forest aging and disease of old trees.

Without harm to the environment, cutting down can be carried out if the principle of continuous forest management based on the balance of cutting down and reforestation is observed. Selective logging is characterized by the least environmental damage.

It is preferable to cut down the forest in winter, when the snow cover protects the soil and young growth from damage.

How to repair this damage?

In order to stop the process of deforestation, it is necessary to develop norms for the reasonable use of forest resources. The following directions must be followed:

1. conservation of forest landscapes and its biological diversity;
2. conducting uniform forest management without depletion of forest resources;
3. training the population in the skills of caring for the forest;
4. strengthening at the state level of control over the conservation and use of forest resources;
5. creation of forest accounting and monitoring systems;
6. improvement of forest legislation,

Replanting trees often does not cover the damage caused by logging. IN South America, South Africa And South-East Asia forest areas continue to shrink inexorably.

In order to reduce the damage from cutting down, it is necessary:

• Increase planting areas for new forests
• Expand existing and create new protected areas, forest reserves.
• Implement effective measures to prevent forest fires. To carry out measures, including preventive measures, to combat diseases and pests.

• Conduct selection of tree species that are resistant to environmental stress.
• Protect forests from the activities of enterprises engaged in the extraction of minerals.
• To carry out the fight against poachers. Use efficient and least harmful felling techniques.

• Minimize wood waste, develop ways to use it.
• Introduce methods of secondary processing of wood.
• Encourage eco-tourism.

What can anyone do to save the forest?

1. rational and economical use of paper products; buy recycled products, including paper. (It is marked with a recycled sign)
2. landscaping around your home
3. replace trees cut down for firewood with new seedlings
4. draw public attention to the problem of deforestation.

Man cannot exist outside of nature, he is part of it. And at the same time, it is difficult to imagine our civilization without the products that the forest provides.

In addition to the material component, there is also a spiritual relationship between the forest and man. Under the influence of the forest, the formation of culture, customs of many ethnic groups takes place, it also serves as a source of livelihood for them.

The forest is one of the cheapest sources of natural wealth, but every minute 20 hectares of forest areas are destroyed. And humanity should already now think about replenishing these natural resources, learn to competently manage forest management and the wonderful ability of the forest to self-renew.

The forest is not just a cluster of trees, but a complex ecosystem that combines plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms and affects the climate, the state of drinking water, and the purity of the air.

Millennia ago, a huge part of the Earth's surface was covered with forests. They spread to North America, occupied a significant share of Western Europe. The vast territories of Africa, South America and Asia were dense forests.

But with the growth in the number of people, their active development of land for economic needs, the process of deforestation began.

People take a lot from the forest: building materials, food, medicine, raw materials for the paper industry. Wood, needles and tree bark are raw materials for many branches of the chemical industry. About half of the extracted wood goes to fuel needs, and a third goes to construction. A quarter of all medicines used are derived from rainforest plants.

Through photosynthesis, forests give us oxygen to breathe while absorbing carbon dioxide. Trees protect the air from poisonous gases, soot and other pollution, noise. Phytoncides produced by most coniferous plants destroy pathogens.

Forests are habitats for many animals, they are real storehouses of biological diversity. They are involved in creating a microclimate favorable for agricultural plants.

Forest areas protect the soil from erosion processes by preventing surface runoff of precipitation. The forest is like a sponge that first accumulates and then releases water to streams and rivers, regulates the flow of water from the mountains to the plains, and prevents floods. , the forests included in its basin are considered the lungs of the Earth.

Damage to the planet caused by deforestation

Despite the fact that forests are a renewable resource, the rate of their deforestation is too high and is not covered by the rate of reproduction. Millions of hectares of deciduous and coniferous forests are destroyed every year.

Tropical forests, which are home to more than 50% of the species that exist on Earth, used to cover 14% of the planet, and now only 6%. India's forested areas have shrunk from 22% to 10% in the last half century. The coniferous forests of the central regions of Russia, the forest massifs in the Far East and Siberia are destroyed, and swamps appear on the site of clearings. Valuable pine and cedar forests are cut down.