AN APPEAL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS, 21 March, 2018
Theme: “Forests and Sustainable Cities”
International Day of Forests is celebrated on March, 21 2018. The day was initiated in the late 1970s by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); whereas the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 21 December 2012, which declared 21st March as the International Day of Forests. It is held annually to raise awareness of the importance of forests to people.
A forest is a plant formation that is made up mainly of trees and such a large area covered that it can develop a characteristic forest climate. Forests cover about 31 percent of global land area. On International Day of Forests the vital role forests play in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and food security of the World.
The theme, 'Forests for sustainable cities', and it is focus on how forests and trees in urban areas regulate temperature and water flows, provide nutritious foods and shelter, cleanse the air and foster community cohesion and individual well-being, among other benefits. Forests and trees store carbon, which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in, and around, urban areas.Urban green spaces, including forests, encourage active and healthy lifestyles, improve mental health, prevent disease, and provide a place for people to socialize. Trees reduce noise pollution, as they shield homes from nearby roads and industrial areas. More people live in cities than ever before and by 2050, 6 billion people or as much as 70% of the global population is expected to live in urban areas. But rapid urbanization does not need to result in polluted urban sprawl. Trees and urban forests can make our cities greener, healthier and happier places to live by cooling the air, filtering out harmful pollutants and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Our country and Tamil Nadu State in particular is blessed with a stunning diversity of forests. From urbanites in big cities to families in rural towns, we are all connected to our forests. By planting trees, we shall be investing in healthy forests for today and for future generations. With your help, we’ll protect the watersheds that provide life’s most sustaining resource for cities and their communities. And as these trees grow, they’ll help fight global climate change and also ensure wildlife have healthy places to live.
On this day, I urge all to take responsibility for the Day celebrates and raises awareness of the conservation and importance of forests and it is encouraged to local people efforts to organize activities such as planting native trees, conducting awareness campaigns and rallies.