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far more nutritious than most of cereals. The average yield of edible seeds is 2-5 tonnes per hectare per year without any recurring cost as in agriculture which is not at all cost-effective because of sky-rocketing cost of inputs and is being sustained by huge subsidies. Yield of forest seeds and edible products is not affected substantially by vagaries of nature drought, heat, frost etc. firstly because the climate is also conditioned suitably by forests and secondly because the root systems of plants in polyculture mixed forests tap deeper and varying depth of soil. Forests work as sinks of harmful gases and keep atmosphere free from pollution. The filtered water going deep down in underground reservoirs and then percolating in streams is pure and clear and also has medicinal properties as various medicinal constituents in leaves, flowers, roots of trees get dissolved in water. Forests comprise most diverse varieties of species of plants, animals and minerals which provide myriad products for direct consumption and use as well as vast variety of raw materials for cottage, small and big industries which will open up avenues and immense opportunities for gainfull employment to almost entire work force. Forestry practices like collection of seeds, nursery work, sowing, planting, weeding and hoeing, tending operations etc. are such that even the old, infirm and disabled can be engaged fruitfully. In forest based model there will not be any unemployment problem. Mankind will not lose any of its pleasures and will be able to avail better food, water and air by adopting forest based lifestyle, sooner the better.
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