International Day of Forests 21 March, 2023

We don't always think of forests when we drink a bottle of water, write in a notepad, take a fever-relieving medication, or construct a house. But, each of these and a great number of other facets of our life are somehow connected to forests.

Sustainable forest management and resource usage are essential to halting climate change and promoting the wealth and well-being of both present and future generations. Moreover, forests are essential for reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Forests are threatened by fires, pests, droughts, and enormous deforestation despite all these invaluable ecological, economic, social, and health benefits.

Theme of International Day of Forests 21 March, 2023

The year 2023 has "Forests and Health" as its theme.

Our health benefits from forests are numerous. In addition to improving our wellbeing, they clean the air, produce food, combat climate change by capturing carbon, and purify the water. It is our responsibility to protect these priceless natural resources. Because healthy trees will result in healthy people, the year 2023 asks for giving rather than merely consuming.

History of International Day of Forests

Originally, "World Forestry Day" was declared in 1971 at the 16th session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Then, from 2007 through 2012, six Forest Days were hosted by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). 2011 was designated as the Year of Forests in collaboration with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. The United Nations General Assembly recognised March 21 to be International Day of Forests on November 28, 2012.

Did you know...

Children who were exposed to woods had a diet that was at least 25% more diverse than children who were not, according to a survey of 43 000 households in 27 African countries.

There could be up to 50,000 plant species used for therapeutic reasons worldwide.

Many studies have demonstrated that spending time in a forest setting lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.

About the size of Iceland, the globe loses 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation, while insects also cause harm to 35 million hectares of forest each year.

Why Are Forests Important?

One-third of the land area on Earth is covered by forests.

Forests serve important roles all around the world.

More than 2,000 indigenous tribes make up part of the approximately 1.6 billion people that rely on forests for their survival.

The most biologically diverse ecosystems on land are forests.

More than 80% of the terrestrial animal, plant, and insect species live in forests.

For communities who rely on the forest, the forests provide safety, employment, and housing.

In our fight to adapt to and mitigate climate change, forests are crucial.

The air's oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity are all balanced by forests.

Watersheds, which provide 75% of the world's freshwater, are shielded by forests.

Ecological, economic, social, and health advantages from forests are immeasurable.

What Are The Main Government Initiatives For Forests?

National Mission for a Green India

It belongs to one of the National Action Plan on Climate Change's eight missions (NAPCC). It was established in February 2014 with the goal of protecting our country's biological resources and related livelihoods from the dangers of unfavourable climate change and to recognise the critical role that forestry plays in ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and the security of food, water, and livelihoods.

National Afforestation Programme (NAP)

Since 2000, it has been used for the reforestation of degraded forest lands. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is putting it into practice (MoEFCC).

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, (CAMPA Funds)

Established in 2016, 90% of the fund will go to the states, with the remaining 10% going to the Centre. The money can be used for activities such as treating catchment areas, assisting natural generation, managing forests, protecting and managing wildlife, relocating villages from protected areas, managing conflicts between people and wildlife, creating training and awareness among others, and providing wood-saving equipment.

National Action Programme to Combat Desertification

It was created in 2001 to address the issue of escalating desertification and to implement the necessary measures. The MoEFCC is in charge of carrying it out.