The World Forestry Day is celebrated every year on March 21, to remind the world about the importance of forests and its impact on the global environment. More than 1/3 of the earth’s surface is covered with forest that supports over 1.5 billion people and thousands of species of plants, insects and animals. The day is observed globally to aware people about the harms of deforestation and its role on global warming.
History and Origin
In 1971, the 23rd General Assembly of European Confederation of Agriculture established the World Forestry Day. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization decided to celebrate it as a global observance on March 21, every year. The day was finally official when the members of the Food and Agriculture Organization at the Conference of States voted for its establishment. Later, on November 28, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly decided to celebrate the International Day of Forests on 21st March by coupling the Forest Day and World Forestry Day.
The World Forestry Day is celebrated to make people understand the need to keep trees alive within and outside the forest. Today, every year a substantial amount of forests which is around 13 million hectares are cleared for industries and other human activities. The day is to remind people that forests play a great role in climate control, water circulation, formation of oxygen and supporting a wide spectrum of flora, fauna and ecosystem. More than 2000 tribal cultures are supported by forest and millions of people depend on forest for their livelihood. The day offers a global platform to raise voice against destruction of forests.
Celebrations around the World
The World Forestry Day is celebrated with a different theme every year and theme for 2014 was “Celebrating Forests for Substantial Development”. The UN enrols various renowned filmmakers and celebrities in take part in their campaigns against deforestation. Short films and videos are uploaded on the Internet for raising awareness. Events take place at the local and national level where trees are planted, seminars, photo contests, street plays etc are organized to ensure the common mass is aware of the need for the forests. Many programmes are broadcasted on the television and radios that highlight the events across the world to enhance its popularity.