International Day of Forests has been celebrated on March 21 since 2012 to increase the public awareness about the values, significance and contributions of forests for the existence of life on the earth.
Forest is the lungs of the Earth. Forests are so crucial to the future and the planet. Forests are one of our greatest natural treasures that we must preserve and protect for the survival of all living beings. This year’s theme, ‘Forests and Innovation’ calls for giving, the critical role that forests play in the world of innovation and vice versa.
This day is also a wake-up call for global leaders to take action against climate change. Almost all aspects of our life are related to forests. Sustainable forest management and their resources is the only way to deal with climate change and preserve the future for future generations.
Forests cover one third of the Earth’s land mass and perform vital functions around the world giving the resources like the food, fuel, medicines, fodder, essential oils, resins, latex, gums, fiber, water and woods. Almost 28 per cent of world population i.e. 1.6 billion people - including more than 2000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihood. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems. As forests are home to over 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity; including 80 per cent of amphibians, 75 per cent of birds and 68 per cent of mammals. Forests provide habitats for the planet's most iconic species like the tiger, lion, Sangai, giant panda, gorilla and orangutan.
Forests provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities who themselves protect the forests. Forests play a key role in our battle in adapting to and mitigating climate change. Forests contribute to balance the oxygen, carbon dioxide, humidity and water cycle. Forests protect watersheds, which supply 75 per cent of freshwater worldwide. Thus, forests provide priceless ecological, economic, social and health services.
Forests are a source of flora and fauna on the planet. When we drink a glass of water, write in a notebook, take medicine or build a house, we do not remember the interconnection with forests but in many aspects, our lives are linked to forests. Healthy forests mean healthy, resilient and prosperous lives.
Forests are the complex living community of the trees which provides home to a big range of animals and the soil beneath it that inhabit a variety of invertebrates, fungi and bacteria playing a significant role in balancing the soil nutrients. Data shows that forest loss worldwide is equivalent to an area of 11 football fields per minute which is amounting to 41 million trees per day.
Forests are the natural beauty on the earth which need to conserve for an ecological balance. Deforestation accounts for 16 to 20 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Every second, forests provide quality and benefits to the lives on Earth.
Forests have always been crucial to human life and economies and they will become increasingly significant as the global human population grows by another 30 per cent – to 9 billion people – by mid-century. At the same time, our forests will face many threats as a result of unsustainable use. As we move forward, our forests must play a crucial role in supporting the growth of a global green economy.
Innovative solutions, to ensure sustainable forest management is the need of the hour. Such policies outline that forests can be a key part of the green economy for an innovative market, both for the public and private sectors in long-term solutions.
At the local level, forests benefit us with timber, medicines, fuelwood and the ecotourism industry. At the regional level, forests provide ecosystem services such as water regulation, soil stability, flood mitigation and air quality. And at the global level, forests make an important contribution to economic development, biodiversity conservation and climate regulation including gene pools, pharmaceuticals products etc.
Forests absorb 28 per cent of all Carbon dioxide released from industries next to the ocean. Globally the overall carbon storage of forests constitutes 54 per cent of the 2,200 gigatons of the total carbon pool in terrestrial ecosystems. Forests act as massive water pumps through water transpiration. Loss of forest cover linked to environmental tipping points such as drought and insect epidemics and increased natural hazards. Forests help to produce clean water in rivers and streams by reducing sediment loss from watersheds.
Non-timber forest products play an important role in the livelihoods of many poor who live in or near forests. The forest sector employs some 10 million people and sustainable forests can meet the future livelihood of many more communities.
Forests suffer from multiple market failures for the benefits that they produce and the costs of their destruction in the visible economic terms. The current economic system usually fails to recognize the value of the existing natural forest capital with its potential to provide continuing services and cash flows. Integrating forests into a green economy will require innovative policies and market solutions that are presently not recognized.
Human health is inextricably linked to forest health. When we take away the forest, it is not just the trees that go. The entire ecosystem begins to fall apart, with dire consequences for all of us. Meanwhile, time spent in forests has been shown to have a positive benefit on conditions including cardiovascular disease, respiratory concerns, stress, diabetes and mental health.
Therefore to protect forests, the green gold, let’s plant more trees - cut your living costs but not trees, eat sustainable food, use the recycled and biodegradable products. Then only we can save the forests and mother Earth for the future generations.
(The views expressed are personal)
