International Day of Forests 2019

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), whose members agreed in 2017 that the Day’s theme would provide an opportunity to highlight specific forest contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by considering topics of the annual sessions of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). In 2019, the International Day of Forests (IDF) will address the theme, ‘Forests and Education.’ It will seek to raise awareness on how sustainably managed forests provide a wide array of contributions in this area. 

Why Is “International Day Of Forests” Celebrated?

“International Day Of Forests” is celebrated to raise global awareness about all kind of trees and forests and to educate people about their usefulness.

Forests play a significant role in our eco system and sustain human life as well as provide livelihood. They also help in climate regulation, reducing pollution, containing floods, maintaining water resources. Forests also provide food and shelter to innumerable species of animals, birds and insects; maintaining and developing bio diversity.

Forests are a source of many vital resources for Billion people; mainly in developing countries. They provide food; medicine and other means of livelihood often generate jobs through tourism.

Unfortunately the world is losing forests as a consequence of population growth and the need for rapid urbanization. Deforestation is an immediate and also a global threat faced by forests today.

According to a report by Food and Agriculture Organization, we are losing 7 million hectares of forest land globally; mostly to the expansion of agriculture land. What’s more concerning is that we are left with only 4 – 5 Billion Hectares of forested land, which will soon diminish if the things continued the same way.

Deforestation leads to many fatal effects on climate, bio diversity, eco system and other related causes. It also accounts to 20% of total green house emission causing elevated global warming.

Apart from other benefits forests play an essential role in attaining the United Nations goals of Sustainable Development by 2030. Goals like no poverty, no hunger, good health and well being, affordable and clean energy, climate action and striking ecological balance among others, are somehow directly or indirectly related to the state of forests.

The SDG Goal Number 15 itself mentions “sustainable maintenance of forests”, “Combat deforestation” and “halt Biodiversity Loss”.

Due to the persistent efforts of UN and other allied organizations on forests, the destruction of forests has reduced considerably in the recent years.

“International Day of Forests” is very important from the point of view of raising global awareness about forests and their preservation as well as for achieving SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) by 2030.

Understanding our forests and keeping them healthy is crucial for our future.

Forests help to keep air, soil, water and people healthy. They have a vital role to play in some of the biggest challenges we face today, such as addressing climate change, eliminating hunger and keeping urban and rural communities sustainable. Forests will be more important than ever as the world population climbs to 8.5 billion by 2030.

You’re never too young to start learning about trees.

Helping children connect with nature creates future generations conscious of the benefits of trees and forests and the need to manage them sustainably. For some children, forests are a direct source of food, wood and shelter, and part of their everyday lives. Other children can discover forests in classrooms and forest schools, by spending guided time in forests and urban parks, or by learning about trees growing in cities and gardens. 

Both modern and traditional knowledge are key to keeping forests healthy.

While foresters should know and understand nature well, they should also learn to use cutting-edge technology to ensure that our forests are monitored and managed sustainably. Rural and indigenous communities also have vital experience and knowledge on how to protect forest resources and ensure that they are harvested sustainably. For example, rural women who are traditional gatherers of food and wood fuel from forests can pass on their knowledge and practical experience from one generation to the next. 

Investing in forestry education can change the world for the better.

By investing in forestry education at all levels, countries can help ensure there are scientists, policy makers, foresters and local communities working to halt deforestation and restore degraded landscapes. In turn, healthy forests will help us to achieve many of the Sustainable Development Goals, for example by supporting the livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest communities and conserving biodiversity.

Women and men should have equal access to forest education.

Many countries are trying to involve more women in forest-related studies, placing a priority on equal access to forest education.

Source: FAO