World Forest Day 2022 is celebrated on 21st March every year to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests. Forest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change and contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations. Forests also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, despite all these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate.
Today on IBN, we have with us Dr. S. Xavier, SJ, Director of Research at St. Joseph’s Research Centre (SJRC), Director – Arrupe Central Library & Information Centre, Coordinator – Environmental Consciousness & Sustainability, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science at St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru.
The Unsustainable practices in our country are taking place for very meager and selfish reasons. The primary factor being developmental activities like human settlement, tourism, infrastructure development (roads, railways dams) and Hydel power projects. Other factors includes commercial logging and timber harvesting, urbanization, mining, agriculture and fires. Without knowing the long terms effects on the regions, issues like Climatic Patterns, Rainfall Patterns, Drought Like Situations and Water Retention remains sidelined. Present-day deforestation may also be due to the corruption of Government Institutions, the policies and implementation.
Importance of Forest Conservation
- Forest and Environment are both interrelated and interactive – they are inseparable.
- Main product produced – Wood, which is the raw material in pulp, paper, board, plywood, and furniture items.
- Source of canes, gum, resins, dyes, tannins lac, fish etc.
- Influences temperature, humidity and Precipitation.
- Formation of Soil (Pedogenesis) by affecting its composition, conformation, chemical properties and water contents and role in biogeochemical cycles.
- Controls flood conditions.
- Suitable habitat for a number of important species.
- Has significant aesthetic and tourist values.
- Altering of forestry can ominously affect the environment and economics on which the performance of nature depends.
Remedial Measures to Protect our Forests
- Afforestation or planting more and more trees on waste lands and hill slopes.
- Education and Awareness among the masses.
- People should not be allowed to throw burning match sticks or cigarettes in the forest areas.
- Enactment and Enforcement of strict legislation.
- People should not be allowed to cut young and healthy trees.
- People should be educated against the hazards of deforestation.
- Forest Protection Force should be fully trained and equipped with latest technology to check deforestation.
Today, on World Forest Day 2022, let’s pledge to plant more and more trees and make this world a better place to live in, to protect and conserve the forests, to be more aware and vigilant, make informed consumption-related choices and shift towards renewable resources and sustainable practices.
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