International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests is an international holiday dedicated to the conservation of forests on the planet. Forests are of great ecological importance: they are the habitat of many plants, insects, and animals. They also act as natural air filters and protect the ground from degradation. The holiday is celebrated annually on March 21.

History

The International Day of Forests was established in 2012. The initiative was proposed by the UN General Assembly. The problem of forest preservation in the modern world is very acute, as in recent years a large number of forests have been cut down. Today, the legislation of many countries contains key provisions concerning the use of forest resources. Illegal logging of forests and rare tree species is prohibited. A few decades ago, such regulations were not in place. People did not worry about the depletion of natural resources and simply exploited them.

We must preserve and increase forests because they are a unique ecosystem in nature. Significant efforts must be made to control illegal logging. It is also necessary to increase the number of trees planted annually by several times. Much attention is given to replacing wood with other materials like plastics and metal alloys.

Interesting Facts

• In a little more than 20 years (from 1990 to the present), the area of forests has been reduced by 420 million hectares.
• Due to deforestation, the Red List has been enriched by more than 30% with new names of plants and animals.
• Today, forests occupy a little more than 30% of the land.

How to Celebrate

Use cardboard boxes and other products made from recycled wood that can be recycled. If everyone fulfills this condition, the use of wood will be greatly reduced. If possible, you can plant a few saplings, making a personal contribution to the multiplication of forests.

Spread the word on social media. Ask other users what actions they are taking to conserve forests and reduce wood use.

When is International Day of Forests in 2025?

International Day of Forests is observed on March 21 each year.

Observations