Dharmendra Pratap Yadav VELLORE: Human destruction of forest wealth and deprivation of food and water for wild animals in their natural habitat are the reasons for the animals straying into agricultural land in search of food and damaging crops , Collector Dharmendra Pratap Yadav said here on Tuesday. Participating in the Wildlife Week celebrations organised by the Forest Department and the Rotary Club of Vellore Fort, Mr. Yadav said that as a result of the destruction of forest wealth, man has become a competitor to wildlife. This was a dangerous competition, which can be ended only by afforestation and preservation of forests. Owing to the absence of trees in the forests, there is run-off of rain, leading to removal of top soil. This results in natural uprooting of trees, leading to further deforestation. Groundwater recharge would be possible only when there is uniform distribution of rainfall. This is possible only when forest wealth is protected. Mr. Yadav said that in the process of urbanisation, trees are cut to facilitate widening of roads and construction of buildings. As a result, people have lost their love for trees. Food security and medicinal security have become casualties in the process.