Into Woods of Innovation: International Day of Forest Celebration By Dr. Mayura Sabne & Ms. Sanika Kulkarni, KMG@Legasis

Introduction-

Roosevelt called them “the lungs of the Earth,” Robert Frost and millions of poets were inspired by them, and Sting is fighting to save them[1].?Celebrated annually on March 21st, World Forestry Day serves as a reminder of the role forests play in sustaining our planet. From purifying the air, we breathe to providing habitat for countless species, forests are not only the lungs but the guardians of the earth. As we gear up for?World Forestry Day 2024, let’s dive deeper and understand the significance and history of this global event[2].

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the International Day of Forests aims to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees outside forests. It serves as a platform to address issues such as deforestation, habitat loss, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management. The theme for each year's celebration reflects current challenges and priorities facing global forest conservation efforts.

Forests are vital for mitigating climate change, regulating the water cycle, preserving biodiversity, and providing livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. However, they are under increasing pressure from deforestation, illegal logging, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and climate change impacts. The International Day of Forests serves as a call to action to combat these threats and promote responsible stewardship of forest resources.

World Forest Day 2024 Theme

The theme for World Forestry Day 2024 is ‘Forests and Innovation’ as chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF)[3]. The theme reflects the critical role that forests play in the world of innovation and vice versa. It also aims to highlight the pressing challenges that are making it difficult to preserve forests and the solutions to promote forest conservation and sustainable utilisation. The theme ‘Forests and Innovation’ showcase a dynamic relationship. Forests cater for creativity and problem-solving goals for various fields. They assist us to learn from nature to design sustainable solutions.

Forest and Innovation-

Forests are the powerhouse of the ecosystem They are more important than just trees providing vital elements for survival. Forests support livelihood, cultures, and communities worldwide. Forests are at risk; forests face many challenges. Deforestation, climate change and unsustainable practices are the major threats to degrading forests. Collective action is a must to ensure the safety of forests or put a risk to livelihoods.[4] This collective action can be well implemented with the usage of advanced technologies. In the crucial task of sustainable forest management, technology has proven to be a game-changer. Satellite data and drone images, among other cutting-edge tools, have revolutionized the way we track and monitor deforestation, changes to the forest area and identify different forest types. With every passing day, technology is becoming increasingly crucial for forest management and conservation, leaving no doubt it is here to stay. With the aid of technology, researchers and conservationists can gain a deeper understanding of forest dynamics and protect them more effectively[5].

Conserving existing forests, restoring forest ecosystems, and reforesting suitable lands is essential if we are to transition to a sustainable pathway for our economies and societies at the required speed and scale. Innovation plays a significant role in all these efforts. There are organizations such as 1t.org serves a global movement to conserve, restore, and grow 1 trillion trees by 2030. A focus on forests is a key part of the solution to effectively address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and offer opportunities to deliver greater sustainability, resilience, and equity. As part of its work, 1t.org seeks to unlock innovative solutions to accelerate and scale forest conservation and restoration[6].

Another example is of Reforestum and Ecosphere+ which have partnered to enable companies and individuals to take climate action by financing forest conservation and restoration using technology solutions to access the carbon market. Their approach mobilizes support for high-quality, high impact forest projects at speed and at scale through technology that brings trust and transparency to carbon offsetting and works to aggregate the actions of many to make a huge collective impact[7].

As we commemorate the International Day of Forests, it is imperative to recognize that the conservation and sustainable management of forests are integral to achieving several global development goals, including those outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development[8]. Efforts to combat climate change, conserve biodiversity, eradicate poverty, and promote sustainable economic growth are closely intertwined with the health and vitality of forests.

Conclusion-

March 21st holds immense significance on various levels, from individual well-being to global sustainability. Individuals can contribute in multiple ways by raising awareness, planting trees, choosing natural fabrics to mention a few. At the community level, participative contribution in forest conservation builds a sense of shared responsibility for their environment. At the global level, the day seeks to foster global consensus to effectively counter the challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. The day is a reminder to the global community that forests are crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, and their protection and conservation techniques must be integrated into development strategies.

Moving forward, concerted action is needed at local, national, and international levels to safeguard our forests for the well-being of present and future generations. This requires implementing policies and practices that promote forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, as well as empowering communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders to actively participate in decision-making processes.

On this International Day of Forests, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting these invaluable ecosystems and ensuring that forests continue to thrive as green lifelines that sustain life on Earth. Overall, the International Day of Forests goes beyond a single day of celebration. It catalyzes raising awareness, inspiring action, and driving change toward a future where forests thrive and contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.[9]

[1] International Day of Forests – March 21, 2024, National Today, https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-forests/

[2] World Forestry Day 2024: Significance & Guide to Celebrate, Amala Earth, https://amala.earth/blogs/amala-earth-blog/world-forestry-day

[3] Collaborative Partnership on Forests, CPF, https://www.fao.org/collaborative-partnership-on-forests/en

[4] International Day of Forests 2024, IISD,? https://sdg.iisd.org/events/international-day-of-forests-2024/#:~:text=International%20Day%20of%20Forests%202024%20will%20be%20celebrated%20on%20the,of%20all%20types%20of%20forests .

[5] Form International, The Role of Technology in Forest Conservation, https://forminternational.nl/the-role-of-technology-in-forest-conservation/#:~:text=Satellite%20data%20and%20drone%20images,and%20identify%20different%20forest%20types .

[6] Gianluca Gygax & Lluvy Liu, 3 Innovations Leading the Fight to Save our Forests, World Economic Forum, Sept 24, 2020, https://weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/3-innovations-leading-the-fight-to-save-our-forests/

[7] Ibid

[8] The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN System Staff College, https://www.un.org/development/desa/jpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2017/02/2030-Agenda-for-Sustainable-Development-KCSD-Primer-new.pdf

[9] Shubham Mittal, International Day of Forests 2024 (21st March), Theme & History, OliveBoard,? https://www.oliveboard.in/blog/international-day-of-forests/