Every year on March 21, the world celebrates the International Day of Forests to bring attention to how crucial forests are to maintaining life as we know it. The International Day of Forests, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 2012, offers a chance for people, groups, and governments to come together to celebrate the advantages that forests offer and to advance sustainable forest management techniques.

Around 31% of the world’s surface area is covered by forests, which also support more than 80% of the terrestrial species on the planet. During the process of photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, which is essential for controlling the climate of the planet.

Yet, several issues, such as deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation pose a threat to forests. Degradation refers to the decline in forest quality brought on by human activities like logging, fire, or overgrazing. Deforestation, on the other hand, is the permanent removal of forests for non-forest uses like agriculture, mining, or urbanization. When forests are divided up into smaller sections, it will be called fragmentation, and it can have a detrimental impact on ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Sustainable forest management methods are necessary to address these issues. Forests must be managed in a way that balances their benefits to the environment, society, and economy. This is known as sustainable forest management. This involves defending forests against illicit logging and other types of exploitation, encouraging forest restoration and regrowth, and assisting neighbourhood-based forest management programs.

Every year, a new subject for the International Day of Forests is chosen to highlight various facets of forest management and conservation. The topic for 2022 focused on “Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-Being,” emphasizing the value of recovering damaged forests and landscapes for the welfare of both people and the environment. And this year, the day is celebrated under the theme “Forests and Health” giving focus on how healthy forests can lead to healthy people. Enhancing ecosystem services, increasing biodiversity, and giving local populations more chances to gain from sustainable forest management are all benefits of forest restoration and healthy forests.

Thus, observing this day is very much important as it emphasizes the significance of preserving forests which support life on Earth. We can make sure that forests continue to offer environmental, social, and economic benefits to both the present and future generations by supporting sustainable forest management methods.  For the sake of the planet’s health and well-being, it is up to every one of us to safeguard our woods.

Written by: Rtr. Vidushi Pathirana

Graphic design by: Rtr. Vidushi Pathirana