The world celebrates the International Day of Forests on March 21 every year with the aim to increase awareness about the unprecedented role forests play in sustaining lives on this planet. Forests provide food, water, and shelter to animals and human beings. They reduce the impact of events threatening to life, such as floods and climate change.
According to the United Nations, forests are home to about 80 per cent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more than 60,000 tree species. Yet, we are losing 10 million hectares of forest about the size of Iceland each year.
History
The United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as International Day of Forests in 2012 to honour and promote awareness about the value of all types of forests. The declaration encouraged governments to organise citizens to carry out activities such as tree-planting campaigns at all levels. These activities are carried out in conjunction with governments and other organisations by the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Theme
The International Day of Forests is celebrated with a particular theme every year. The theme for 2022 is ‘Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption’.
Significance
Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface. They are sources of clean air and water. According to a UN study, forests can lift one billion people out of poverty. They can also create an additional 80 million green jobs.
Also, forests act as shields from zoonotic diseases. In fact, one out of three outbreaks of new and emerging diseases are linked to deforestation and other land-use changes.