BY DR. RAVINDER PALL SAINI
INDIAN FOREST SERVICE ( RETIRED)
MEMBER, BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION (BOA),
FOREST RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
DEHRADUN
DEHRADUN, 21 MARCH 2024:
“ I believe in the cosmos. All of us are linked to the cosmos. So, Nature is my God. To me, Nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedral. Being at one with Nature “
~~~~~Mikhail Gorbachev.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 21 st March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Henceforth, World Forest Day is commemorated on March 21 every year. This day celebrates the existence of various kinds of forests all over the world and is used to spread awareness about the environment and the importance of conservation of forests by participatory approach. On this day, the UN guides governments across the globe to foster conservation and development of their forests and to undertake activities such as tree planting, afforestation drives, forest soil conservation and wildlife awareness cum education.
The theme for 2024 is “Forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world “ The necessary role of technology and innovation in the conservation of forest ecosystems is emphasized for. New Solutions for a ‘Better World’, underlines the need for innovative approaches to adopt global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
Forests give us so much to our health. They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, and improve our well-being. It’s up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources.
This 2024 calls for giving, not just taking, because healthy forests will bring healthy people.
Extensive research demonstrates that use of forests contributes to reducing stress and promoting more positive moods and feelings. In children, forests help to get healthy mental and social development.
Sustainable management of forests along with the judicious use of their resources is the primary way to combating climate change and contributing to the prosperity and well-being of present and future generations. Forests have a significant role to play in poverty eradication and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Though plants provide us with unmeasured ecological, economic, social, and health benefits, still global deforestation continues at an alarming rate.
Forest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well- being of current and future generations. Forests also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet despite all these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, forests are endangered by fires, pests, droughts, and unprecedented deforestation.
“The mountains, the forest, and the sea, render men savage; they develop the fierce, but yet do not destroy the human”. Victor Hugo
History:
The history of the International Day of Forests can be traced back to 1971 when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) established World Forestry Day. The day was established to create and generate awareness of the importance of forests for people and the planet.
In 2011, the United Nations declared the years 2011 to 2020 as the International Decade of Forests. Its objective was to foster sustainable management, conservation, and development of all types of forests. In the year 2012, the International Day of Forests was established.
Importance of Forests:
All round the world, forests act as massive green sponges, attracting carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. By using carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen, trees, and plants function as natural air purifiers.
An adding number of people need more power to maintain their standard of living. About half of the world’s renewable energy comes from wood right now. Finding innovative and sustainable methods of producing bioenergy is a priority, and boosting and modernizing this business through innovative technology developments may assist.
Carbon sequestered by forests is one of the most efficient means of lessening the effects of climate change. They manage the water cycle, protect watershed regions, moderate air temperatures, and improve soil quality. Furthermore, trees provide many other benefits to society and the planet.
Forest Conservation:
Forests are essential for maintaining the ecological balance and mitigating climate change. Five of the vital means by which we all can assist actively in forest conservation are:
- Lessen the usage of paper and its products usage by preferring electronic and digital means.
- Always choose recycled products over nonbiodegradable ones.
- Decrease meat consumption as it is one of the foremost causes of deforestation.
- Generate awareness among people around you to adopt an eco-friendly approach towards nature.
- Support and campaign for afforestation and reforestation efforts to counter the negative effects of deforestation and degradation of forests.
International Day of Forests significance:
Over the last few decades, humans have been encroaching forests for domestic purposes, without realizing that with every tree that is cut down, an entire community of birds, rodents and other fauna are possibly being uprooted, not to mention the fact that one major source of oxygen is put down. Forests are home to most of our terrestrial biodiversity. In addition to providing food and shelter to wildlife, forests are also known to mitigate climate change, provide livelihood opportunities, and offer a variety of medicinal plants and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Therefore, it becomes necessary for everyone to act in a responsible way and spread consciousness about the importance of saving Forests on global Forests Day 2024.
Facts about Forest:
A study from 43 000 households across 27 countries in Africa found that the dietary diversity of children exposed to forests was at least 25% higher than that of children who were not. The total number of plant species used for medicinal purposes could be as high as 50 000.Several studies proved that a visit to a forest environment lowers blood pressure and pulse rate and reduces cortisol levels.
The world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation – about the size of Iceland- and insects damage around 35 million hectares of forest annually.
(Source: FAO:2020).
Let us all endeavour earnestly to save the forests to save the biodiversity and the future of Earth.
“A Nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” ~~~~~~~ Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(PICS: COMPILATION AND POSTERS FROM AUTHOR AND UN SOURCES)
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