Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A. Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change.
B. In recent decades, deforestation has led to the loss of biodiversity and disrupted weather patterns.
C. To reverse this damage, countries must implement stricter conservation policies and promote afforestation.
D. Despite their importance, forest areas are being cleared rapidly for agriculture and urban development.