Why did deforestation start?

Answer 1

The human population is growing at an unabated pace. The need for living space and clear land for agriculture is growing at the same pace. New mines and dams need to be built to satisfy the every growing demand for resources. Slash and burn tactics are the norm in Africa and South America.

Now why do we let it happen? A 300 year old hardwood tree is worth approximately $2000 US to a poor Mozambican person. That is worth more money than that person can earn in his whole life time... He with his family is living well below the poverty line, starvation is a reality to them. He will cut down that tree with no qualms about deforestation.

Same can be said for farmers who burn down forests and jungles to clear land for farming. They cant afford fertilizer to farm the same space of ground year in year out. After about 5 years their piece of land is infertile and they need to clear more ground to farm again.

Answer 2

Deforestation started as humans needed more of the resources to live. As human populations increased, their demand on the natural resources of the area increased. Some intentional deforestation occurred to make room for agriculture.

Answer 3

Because we need wood for houses, furniture and paper etcetera. We also need the space that forests take up for farmland and cattle pasture - food production.