Last Updated on 21 March 2024 IST: Every year on March 21, people all over the world commemorate the International Day of Forests (World Forest Day). The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the value of forests. To learn more, continue reading. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly declared the 21st of March as International Forest Day. The day serves as a reminder to people to value and protect forests, as well as the importance of forests in the lives of living things. Forests are critical for providing food, water, and shelter to both animals and humans.
World Forest Day 2024: Highlights
- The UN General assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) on the 28th of November, 2012.
- With over 60,000 tree species, forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
- Every year, the world loses 10 million hectares of forest, roughly the size of Iceland.
- Forests provide food, shelter, energy, medicines, and income to approximately 1.6 billion people.
- Forests cover 30% of the earth’s surface and provide habitat for millions of species.
History of World Forestry Day
The 16th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference voted in favor of “World Forestry Day” in 1971. From 2007 to 2012, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) hosted six Forest Days. The United Nations General Assembly later declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) on November 28, 2012. In India, it was first observed in 2013.
Background of World Forest Day
World Forestry Day 2024: International Day of Forests is commemorated to raise awareness about the value of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to organize activities involving forests and trees on a local, national, and international level, such as tree-planting campaigns.
The United Nations Forum on Forests and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other relevant organizations in the field, are the organizers.
Facts about World Forest Day
- With over 60,000 tree species, forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
- Forests provide food, shelter, energy, medicines, and income to approximately 1.6 billion people.
- Every year, the world loses 10 million hectares of forest, roughly the size of Iceland. Furthermore, forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, containing more than 80% of all terrestrial animal, plant, and insect species.
- Forests cover 30% of the earth’s surface, provide habitat for millions of species, provide clean air and water, and are, of course, critical in the fight against climate change.
- In India during the 1970s the legendary movement “Chipko Movement” originated. This was against deforestation. Suderlal Behuguna and Goura Devi were the two major personalities behind this movement.
World Forestry Day 2024: Significance
World Forestry Day 2024: To combat climate change, forests must be managed sustainably and their resources used wisely. This will benefit the current and future generations’ prosperity and well-being.
■ Also Read: World Wildlife Day: Know The Way To Bypass Your Rebirth As An Animal
On this day, Several organizations are encouraging countries to engage in national, local, and international efforts to organize activities involving trees and forests, such as tree-planting campaigns.
World Forestry Day 2024: Celebrations
World Forestry Day: Countries around the world are being inspired to take action to save the forests on the International Day of Forests. Conducting activities for forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns, is one of these steps. Different institutions organize different events to spread awareness and knowledge.
The international weeks or days are an opportunity to educate people about the issue or concern. It also mobilizes the political will to work on it. This day is celebrated with events addressing the global problem.
World Forestry Day 2024 Theme
World Forestry Day 2024: Every year, the United Nations Forum on Forests’ Collaborative Partnership on Forests chooses a theme for World Forest Day. The theme for the year 2024 is “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World” whereas “Forests and sustainable production and consumption” was the theme for 2022.
Forests give us a lot for our health and daily consumption. They give us food, wood, medicine, shelter and oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and help us by giving us a clean environment. We should save them not just for the sake of us but also for the coming generation. The theme of this year is concentrating on offering and not just taking. Climate change is a real concern which is continuously affecting forest’s soundness also.
World Forestry Day 2024: Importance of Wood
World Forestry Day 2024: We don’t always associate drinking a glass of water, writing in a notebook, taking fever medicine, or building a house with forests. Yet, in some way or another, these and many other aspects of our lives are intertwined with forests.
- Forest’s sustainable management and resource use are critical to combating climate change and contributing to current and future generations’ prosperity and well-being. Forests are also important for poverty alleviation and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite these incalculable environmental, economic, social, and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate.
- Wood is used to provide bacteria-free food and water in many kitchens, to construct countless pieces of furniture and utensils, to replace harmful materials such as plastic, to create new fibers for our clothing, and to participate in fields such as medicine and space exploration through technology.
- For the planet and its inhabitants, it is critical to consume and produce wood in a more environmentally friendly manner. Let’s use sustainable forest management to protect this easily renewable resource.
How can the entire Earth be made Green again?
World Forestry Day 2024: By planting millions of trees and generating awareness in millions of people Earth can surely be made green again but it might not be a sustainable solution after all. To make the entire Earth green we need to take the help of spirituality. Rain is the primary source of water for forests and is a crucial element for the growth of trees. By performing spiritual practices based on the Holy Scriptures (Books) after taking the refuge of a complete saint, great results can be witnessed.
Jyoti Yagya (Hawan Yagya) is the Key to Rain and Reforestation
There are five types of Yagya which are shown by a complete Saint. Jyoti Yagya (Hawan Yagya) is performed by burning cotton along with Ghee which reduces Co2 emissions in the environment and helps bring in more rain. 100 grams of cotton can easily burn 1000 kgs of Ghee. Presently, Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is showing spiritual worship which is very much useful for the betterment of the world.
We’re About to Witness Golden Age Real Soon
According to the prophecies of worldly known foretellers like Nostradamus, Florence, Vegellitin, Cheiro, Professor Harrar, and others, the world is about to witness the Golden Era real soon. According to the prophecies, under the guidance of a Spiritual Leader, the Earth will be made Greener, and there will be no shortage of agriculture and dairy products. Everyone will reunite once again and will live peacefully. All the prophecies fit perfectly on Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj. Readers should download Sant RampalJi Maharaj app from Google Play Store to know everything about it.
World Forestry Day 2024: Quotes
- Trees are the most adorable Nature’s Gift and it is our duty to protect and save them.
- Forests are not mere resources but are the home to millions of creatures.
- The death of forests is the death of Humanity.
- A tree planted is a step taken towards a greener future.
- Trees purify the world and make it a better place to live.
- Trees are the generators of Oxygen, which is our elixir of life.
World Forestry Day 2024: FAQ’s
World Forest Day is celebrated on the 21st of March every year.
The United Nations Forum on Forests and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other relevant organizations in the field, are the organizers
The theme for World Forest Day 2024 is “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World“
We celebrate World Forest Day to make people aware and educated about the activities which are affecting the environment and forests. This day mobilizes the will towards the conservation of forests.
National Forest day is marked on 23 December.