Uttara Kannada is popular for its forests. Tall trees, medicinal plants, rare wildlife, rivers and lakes add to the beauty of this district. It is difficult to assess the value of forest wealth in this district. Spread over 10,24679 hectares, the district has a forest area of 8,29,153 hectares, roughly 81 per cent of the district. Of this, 7727.84 square kilometres come under the reserved forest area. Nearly 542.77 square kilometres are protected while the remaining is unclassified forest area. This vast forest wealth is depleting. Agriculture, roads, mining and other development projects have destroyed Uttara Kannada's green belt.