Today March 21st 2013, is observed as the International Day of Forests and The Tree, a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly, to annually raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.
With the adopted resolution of 21 December 2012, which declared that starting in 2013, 21 March each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests and The Tree, the UN encourages all member states to organise activities relating to all types of forests, and trees outside forests, such as tree-planting campaigns.
We would like to reecho the words of the UN Secretary-General who said that the societies must commit themselves to reducing deforestation, preventing forest degradation, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods for all forest-dependent people.
Forests, we understand cover one third of the earth’s land mass, thus performing vital functions around the world.
Around 1.6 billion people - including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihood.
The forests also provide a lot of benefits to mankind and also our animals, such as shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent populations. They play a key role in the fight against climate change, as it contributes to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air.
However, despite all these and many other benefits people keep destroying the very forests we need for our survival.
Deforestation is a serious problem that requires collective efforts to address it.
