Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow, by choosing the correct/most appropriate option :

Forests are essential for the well-being of mankind, the very existence of mankind would be in danger if forests are destroyed.

Forests protect the soil from erosion by wind and water and also help to improve the quality of soil. Trees have been providing wood to mankind ever since man learnt to cook and to live in huts and houses. They also provide grass for making huts, ropes, nets and baskets. As man became more civilised he started depending more on forests. There is no area of human existence today where something or the other made from forest raw material is not in use. In fact, whichever way you look in your house, school or college or outside, you will see something or the other which has been made from the raw materials obtained from forests.

But perhaps the most important service that trees provide to man in these days of fast growth of cities and industries is the role they play in reducing atmospheric pollution. The leaves of trees absorb huge quantities of carbon dioxide - a poisonous gas-from the atmosphere and release large quantities of pure oxygen into it. They also provide useful products such as wood, bark, flowers and fruits.

It is unfortunate that while the very existence of mankind is dependent on the existence of forests, it is man alone who is the greatest enemy of forests. The forests in our country have been steadily destroyed in the past. They are often cleared for purposes of agriculture, settlement of homeless persons and for providing land to the landless.

Apart from the legal deforestation, there is a lot of illegal deforestation carried out by people. The uncontrolled grazing by sheep, cows and buffaloes, cutting down trees for making charcoal, putting up factories, roads, canals, schools and colleges etc are some of the other reasons of deforestation. What is needed today is a massive programme of forest protection.