World Forestry Day is usually observed on March 21 to create awareness of the importance of forests to maintain balance in the ecosystem and highlight how crucial forests are to human lives.
The theme for 2024; “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World” is aimed at promoting sustainable practices such as planting more trees and discontinuing deforestation, among others, to conserve our forests.
Also, it is a day set aside to educate the members of the public about playing vital roles in taking necessary actions to protect/ preserve forests for future generations.
According to the United Nations (UN), 10 million hectares of land are lost annually due to deforestation, and approximately 70 million hectares are affected by fire.
It also noted that the nettle against deforestation requires new technological advances, and these innovations are essential for early warning systems, sustainable commodity production, and empowering indigenous people through land mapping and climate finance access.
The United Nations FAO noted that in Nigeria, 9.9% or about 9,041,000 (HA) is forested. Also, research conducted by Samuel Olajugigbe revealed that Nigeria’s forest cover is approximately 7.7% of its land area and extends to 75, 707km 2 with about 10 forest reserves in the country.
The importance of forests in our world cannot be overemphasized. Forest provides shelter, jobs, vegetation, water nourishment/ resources, amelioration of the environment, and sources of food as well as avoiding the extinction of species.
It is also important in helping provide oxygen and taking away carbon dioxide emissions, as well as providing wood for infrastructural construction or logs which can serve as electric poles.
