In India, according to the new forest policy, there should be forest cover on 33% of total land part, but upto 2015 only 21.34% land part was under the forests cover.

Main causes of decreasing forest area in India: 

Following are the causes:

1. Growth of continuous demand of agricultural land: For sustenance of rapidly growing population of India, the need to increase food grain production is felt. For the expansion of agricultural land, forests are being cleared on large scale, and consequently, the forest area is decreasing. 

2. Rapid industrialization and urbanization: After independence, for industrialization and urbanization, industrial buildings, residential colonies, commercial area, offices, administrative blocks, roads and railway tracks were made. Recently Many Express and Super Express Ways Airports etc. are being constructed for fast development work. For these, forests were cleared in past and are being cleared in present time on large scale. 

3. Deforestation for domestic use: Deforestation is being done for furniture, building construction etc. 

4. Uncontrolled grazing: Due to uncontrolled grazing, small plants and grasses are eaten up and destroyed by the animals hooves. It causes soil erosion which is a major cause of deforestation.

5. Shifting agriculture: In India, shifting agriculture is being practiced by some tribes. In it, agricultural land is prepared by cutting and clearing the forests. Farming is done for 3 to 4 years on such land and this process is repeated elsewhere. Thus, forest areas are decreasing due to this traditional practice. 

6. Other causes: Development of multipurpose projects, increasing mining areas, violation of government rules and different diseases of plants 

Demerits of deforestation: 

Following are the demerits:are other causes.

1. Rainfall is reduced due to deforestation and aridity increases. 

2. Due to this, the industries based on forest are becoming destroyed and unemployment is increasing and national income is decreasing. 

3. Flow of river water increases and danger of flood and soil erosion increases. 

4. Underground water level decreases and shortage of fodder for animals appears. 

5. Results shortage of timber and fire wood. 6. Storms blow unobstructructed, causing soil erosion. Expansion of deserts increases. 

7. Carbon dioxide level rises in the atmosphere, thereby increasing the risk of global warming. 

8. Air pollution increases as a result of which humans have to face and suffer from many ailments. 

9. Forest destruction leads to ecological imbalance. 

10.There is widespread destruction of wildlife, many wildlife species have become extinct.