BY DR. RAVINDER PALL SAINI
INDIAN FOREST SERVICE (RETIRED)
MEMBER, BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
FOREST RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
DEHRADUN
DEHRADUN, 21 MARCH 2023:
“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
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 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 counsels’ governments across the globe
to encourage conservation and development of their forests and to undertake
endeavours such as tree planting, afforestation drives, forest soil conservation and
wildlife awareness cum education.
The theme for 2023 is “Forests and health.”
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 2023 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.
Healthy forest for healthy people
When we drink a glass of water, write in a notebook, take medicine for a fever, or build
a house, we do not always make the connection with forests. And yet, these and many
other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another.
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.
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 2023 calls for giving, not just taking, because healthy forests will bring healthy
people.
“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:
Forests are an important part of the natural environment. It provides a wide range of
benefits including ecological, economic, and social benefits. Forests play a crucial role
in dealing with climate change, conserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of
millions of people around the world.
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 it’s 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 2023.
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).
Recently MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) is a
new programme that is declared in Union Budget 2023-23. MISHTI will facilitate
mangrove plantation along India and coastline and on salt pan lands. It’s a great initiative
taken by India.
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