International Day of Forests was celebrated here
today, with ‘Forests and Energy’ being the central theme of the celebrations.
Addressing a gathering, comprising mainly of school children at Asola Bhati
sanctuary in Tuglakabad, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha said that there is a mutual relationship between
forests and energy. Shri Jha pointed out that the water level of the Earth
increases because of forests. “We must look at ways to prevent the cutting of
forests. The challenge before us is to make available energy at affordable
cost to the people. The Government is paying full attention to this
challenge”, he added. Director General, Forests and Special Secretary,
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. S. S Negi said, “We are
fortunate that there are forests around us. We are surviving because of these
forests and the forests are preventing the desertification from being
extended.”
International Day of Forests is celebrated on March
21 every year, the world over. This celebration brings into focus the role of forests
in safeguarding the ecological security and livelihood of millions of people
all around the world. Forests provide clean air, water and energy. Sustainably
managed forests can provide renewable and carbon neutral energy for a greener
future.
This theme of this year’s celebration is Forests
& Energy has been chosen by the United Nations to highlight the
importance of wood energy in improving people's lives, powering sustainable
development and mitigating climate change. Wood is a major renewable energy source. Wood provides the world with more
energy than solar, hydroelectric or wind power. Almost 300
million people in India depend on the forests for their livelihood.
It has been proved that trees in urban areas can cool the air by between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
The Wood energy also mitigates
climate change and fosters sustainable development. Globally, forests hold energy
content approximately 10 times that of the world’s annual primary energy
consumption.
Greater investment in technological innovation
and in sustainably managed forests is the key to increasing forests’ role as a
major source of renewable energy. In this way, we invest in our sustainable
future, in meeting several Sustainable Development Goals and in growing a green
economy.
This year’s campaign theme highlights the vital
energy inherent in India’s forests, including the various cultural, ecological
& livelihood benefits.
Children from schools of adjacent localities presented
a ‘Prakriti Vandana’ on the occasion. The children also enacted a skit to
highlight the role of nature in human life. A Nature Trail was also
inaugurated on the occasion and saplings were planted to mark the occasion. A
poster was also launched to mark the International Day of Forests and prizes
were distributed to the school children.
Officers from Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change, officials from Department of Environment, NCT of Delhi and
representatives of Eco Battalion were also present on the occasion
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