International Day of Forest

By :Opesan Pamilerin

The World Forestry Day is celebrated every 21st of March every year, this day is also known as International Day of Forests. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in 2012 to create awareness about the importance of Forests and trees to human life and the planet as a whole. Countries across the world mark the day through activities such as tree planting, environmental education, public discussions and conservation campaigns.

The theme for World Forestry Day 2026 is “Forests and Economies.” This theme highlights how Forests play a major role not only in protecting the environment but also in supporting livelihoods and economic development.

Forests provide a lot of resources such as timber, food, medicine, fuel, and raw materials used in many industries. They also support agriculture by protecting the soil, maintaining water sources and regulating climate. All these contributions make Forests a strong driver of community development and economic growth.

Forests are often described as the “lungs of the earth” because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere which is very useful to humans, this process helps to keep the air clean and the climate stable. They also support biodiversity and provide shelter for countless species of plants and animals.

In the world today, Forests are a source of livelihood for many people. It is estimated that over 1.6 billion people depend directly on Forests for food, shelter, source of income and medicine, especially in rural communities. Globally, Forests also play an important role in job creation and supporting industries like timber production, ecotourism and paper manufacturing.

Despite all these importance, Forests are still under serious threat due to deforestation, illegal logging, urban expansion and climate change. Experts estimate that millions of hectares of Forests are lost every year, which leads to soil erosion, flooding, loss of wildlife habitats and worsening climate problems.

To celebrate this day and encourage people to appreciate Forests and take action to protect and conserve them, several activities are organized, which includes: tree planting campaigns, school debates and seminars, community outreach programs, Forest conservation projects etc.

As the world celebrates World Forestry Day on the 21st of March, let’s take note that protecting and conserving the Forests is not just the governments responsibility but ours too. Individuals, communities and organizations are to work hand-in-hand to ensure Forests are presented for future generations. Planting trees, reducing deforestation and supporting sustainable forest management are little or simple steps that can make a big difference.