International Day Of Forests

 

A forest is an area of land where trees predominate. Hundreds of forest definitions exist around the world, taking into account factors like tree density, tree height, land use, and ecological function. A forest, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, is defined as land with trees taller than 5 metres and a canopy cover of more than 10%, or trees capable of reaching these thresholds in situ. It excludes land that is primarily used for agriculture or urban development. Using this definition, FRA 2020 discovered that forests covered 4.06 billion hectares, or roughly 31% of global land area, in 2020, but that they were not evenly distributed across the world.

 Forests are the Earth's most common terrestrial ecosystem, and they can be found all over the world. Only five countries contain more than half of the world's forests (Brazil, Canada, China, the Russian Federation and the United States of America). The tropical domain contains the majority of the woodland (45%), followed by the boreal, temperate, and subtropical domains.

Forests produce 75 percent of the biosphere's gross primary production and hold 80 percent of the planet's plant biomass. Tropical forests produce 21.9 gigatonnes of carbon per year, 8.1 gigatonnes for temperate forests, and 2.6 gigatonnes for boreal forests. Forests at various latitudes and elevations, as well as different precipitation and evapotranspiration, form distinct biomes: boreal forests near the North Pole, tropical wet and dry forests near the Equator, and temperate forests in the middle latitudes. Forests at higher elevations tend to be similar to those at higher latitudes, and the amount of precipitation has an impact on forest composition.

By the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012, the International Day of Forests was proclaimed on March 21st.  Throughout the year, a variety of events honour and raise awareness of the value of all kinds of forests, as well as trees outside of forests, for the benefit of current and future generations.  On International Day of Forests, countries are urged to organise local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns. In cooperation with countries, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and international, regional, and subregional organisations, the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, facilitates the implementation of such events. On March 21, 2013, the first International Day of Forests was observed.

Theme: "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being" is the theme for the International Day of Forests in 2021. Forest preservation and sustainable management will aid in the resolution of climate change and biodiversity problems.

Forests cover a significant area of the earth. They are a great natural asset of the region and hold immense value. They also give us a variety of products that hold great commercial as well as industrial value. Moreover forests are largely responsible for preserving the physical features of our planet. They monitor soil erosion and prevent it from happening. Most importantly forests are a habitat for wildlife. They provide them with shelter and food. Thus, it is quite important to protect forests and furthermore enhance the forest cove for a greener and sustainable future.