This designation has generated
momentum bringing greater attention to the forests worldwide. Forests cover almost a third
of the earth’s land surface providing many environmental benefits including a major role in
the hydrologic cycle, soil conservation, prevention of climate change and preservation of
biodiversity (Sheram, 1993). Forest resources can provide long-term national economic
benefits. For example, at least 145 countries of the world are currently involved in wood
production (Anon., 1994a). Sufficient evidence is available that the whole world is facing an
environmental crisis on account of heavy deforestation. For years remorseless destruction of
forests has been going on and we have not been able to comprehend the dimension until
recently. Nobody knows exactly how much of the world’s rainforests have already been
destroyed and continue to be razed each year. Data is often imprecise and subject to
differing interpretations. However, it is obvious that the area of tropical rainforest is
diminishing and the rate of tropical rain forest destruction is escalating worldwide, despite
increased environmental activism and awareness.