Forestry Policy: An Historic Overview

Abstract

Forestry policy in almost every country has been shaped by historic events. Therefore, a study of forestry policy would be incomplete without giving a proper account of the historic background. In the past there were three main events which led to the contraction of forestry throughout the industrialised world. First, the growth of the population increased the pressure on agricultural land to grow more food, which resulted in forest clearances. The decline of forests in many regions became inevitable to sustain the growing agricultural sector. Secondly, the use of wood as fuel and construction material took its toll on forests, and such exploitation was most reckless in the early industrialised countries. Thirdly, wars had a devastating effect on forests, especially in Europe. The scars of these events have been deepest in the British Isles.