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International Day of Forests

Published: 30th Mar, 2021

The United Nations observes March 21 as the International Day of Forests, commemorating the green cover around the world and reiterating its importance.

Context

The United Nations observes March 21 as the International Day of Forests, commemorating the green cover around the world and reiterating its importance.

About

About International Day of Forests, 2021

  • Theme: 'Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being,
  • Significance: It emphasizes how restoration and sustainable management of forests can help address climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

About International Day of Forests

  • The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012.
  • Objective: The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
    • Theme: The theme for each year is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
  • Themes of the International Day of Forests are aimed to fit into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which calls for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world.
  • Activities: On this day, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national, and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns.
  • Collaboration: The Day is celebrated by the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other relevant organizations in the field.

Forest cover in India

As per the biennial State of Forest Report, 2019

  • India’s forest cover has increased by 3,976 sq km or 0.56% since 2017
  • As compared to the assessment of 2017, there are an increase of 5,188 sq. km in the total forest and tree cover of the country.
  • The top three states showing an increase in forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq. km) followed by Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
  • Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
  • In terms of forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (85.41%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%), Manipur (75.46%), and Nagaland (75.31%).
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