International Forest Day

As the International Forest day is observed every year on March 21 since 2012, it is really necessary to understand the pain that the earth is going through in helping the humans quench the unending thirst for urbanization.

Human Effects 

With the wide urban sprawl, people are spending a lot of money on having some fresh air and de-stressing themselves being close to nature, especially during holidays when they want to spend their time with friends and family. It is actually unfortunate to strive for such resources which nature gives us in abundance. But the act of deforestation is making our lives crippled.

The climate change is apparent around the world with rising temperature and decreasing natural resources. Reduction in rainfall and uneven monsoon changes are already being the harbingers of harsh ill-effects of the global warming. Transforming the real jungles into concrete jungles is going to make us pay a greater price soon. The increase in plastic waste and deforestation are the greatest contributors to this havoc.

In India

With the widespread mining activities in Orissa, Jharkhand, and Chattisgarh, trees were cut and roads were laid to enable transportation. The irrigation projects and factories have already smashed out much of the fertile and forest land. The major pilgrimage spots and tourist spots situated on hills had to cut off the trees to pave way for the visitors.

The increase in forest area not only helps in replenishing the earth’s potential but also restores balance in the eco-system. Forests offer shelter to 80 percent of the biodiversity on land. They help in bringing down the temperatures, promote rainfall, prevent soil erosion and provide solutions to many of the problems encountered today.

Afforestation

The Earth is so sparing that planting trees and sowing seeds, in a barren land devoid of any trees, creates a forest and this process is called Afforestation. The process of planting native trees into a forest that has a decreasing number of trees is called as Reforestation while planting a whole new forest is called Afforestation.

We have a live example, whom the Indian government has honored with Padma Shri, for Afforestation. A tribal person named Jadav Payeng worked for many years to convert an area of 1,360 acres of barren land into a vast and dense forest which is now home to many species of animals and birds. This forest called Molai forest was named after him, and this forest is located near Kokilamukh of Jorhat, Assam.

 Why are Forests Important?

• These woodlands are wonderful in pumping oxygen to the world.
• Forests provide a home to wide varieties of flora and fauna.
• Tribal people all over the world live in woods.
• The canopy of dense trees keeps the earth cool.
• These trees help in building the ozone layer.
• Forests promote rainfall and help maintain the groundwater levels.
• They prevent soil erosion and flooding.
• They payback by maintaining the ecosystem.

• Forests can sequester the toxins away and degrade them to be less dangerous.
• They purify the air and muffle noise pollution.
• Forests provide food for everyone along with many medicinal herbs.
• The tranquility and beauty of forests de-stresses us balancing our lives.

With the numerous benefits, forests become the pillars on which the whole ecosystem rests. Protecting forests, many of the problems that modernization brought to our doorstep, can be swept away. Hence, we must pledge to protect this unique planet which is our home.