Growing human population puts more pressure on forests

ANKARA

The growing human population is taking a toll on forests, with an annual reduction in tree-cover the size of the U.K., according to an international environmental group.

"Deforestation has led to catastrophic impacts on forest-dwelling wildlife, with populations declining on average by more than half in just over 40 years," World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in a statement on Thursday.

Ahead of the International Day of Forests on Saturday, WWF said people need forests to breathe in clean air.

"They help keep our climate stable – absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen – regulate our water supply,