Forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more than 60,000 tree species.
Around 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.
The world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year – about the size of Iceland
New Delhi: International Forest Day is being observed on Monday (March 21) to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and their conservation.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21st, 2012, the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
The aim of the day is to encourage countries and stakeholders to make local, national, and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
Celebrations are held under a particular theme, which is different for each year. The theme for 2022 is “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.”
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, forests are home to about 80 percent of the world‘s terrestrial biodiversity, with more than 60,000 tree species.
Around 1.6 billion people depend directly on the forest for food, shelter, energy, medicine, and income.
According to the biennial India’s State of Forest Report 2021, published by the Forest Survey of India, India has recorded an increase of 1,540 square kilometres in its forest cover.
This is the increase recorded during 2019 and 2021. The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62 percent of the geographical area of the country.
As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. Area-wise, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country.
On the occasion, Indian politicians took to Twitter and extended their greetings. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, compared the greenery on earth to the welfare of the earth.
“Today is # InternationalDayofForests, Human life cannot be imagined without forests. Let’s take a pledge to protect the forests. Plant trees, save them. Protecting trees, plants and forests” he tweeted
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, also urged the people to play an active role in protecting the forest.
On the occasion of # InternationalDayofForests, let us pledge to protect and conserve the forests, be more aware and vigilant, and make informed consumption-related choices to save the forests, “he said.
This is a day to raise awareness of the importance of forest conservation. Let us all take part in preserving our forests. For future generations, “Goa caretaker chief minister Pramod Sawant posted.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy V shared the following message: “Sustainable development happens when we conserve forest cover and are not swept by the greed of converting these natural riches to concrete jungles. Let us acknowledge the part forests play in providing shelter and clean air and pledge to protect them.”
