It is said that “a woodland in full colour is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least; but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart.”
Forests cover 30% of the earth’s surface and provide habitat to millions of species. With over 60,000 tree species, forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
To protect and spread awareness about these beautiful treasures of earth, International Day of Forests is celebrated every year on 21March across the globe. Today, Indian Masterminds brings to you glimpses from the day’s celebration by bureaucrats who also wear the mantle of ecowarriors.
THE ORIGIN
The UN General Assembly in 2012 proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests. The day reminds people to value and save forests and the importance of forests in the lives of living creatures. It is celebrated to raise awareness about the significance of different types of forests. The theme of this year was: Forests and sustainable production and consumption.
BUREAUCRATS OBSERVE THE DAY IN SPECIAL WAYS
Bureaucrats all over the country observed the day with enthusiasm. Various plantation drives were conducted to mark the day. Among them, Dr. Bilal Bhatt, District Magistrate Kulgam, inaugurated a book and calendar about various activities of Kulgam forest division.
By involving children, an initiative called OneChildOneTree was also begun by Mr. Bhatt on the day, in which children were encouraged to participate in planting one sapling of various plants.
IFS officer Sujoy Benerjee paid his tribute to all forest warriors, whose day and night toil protect our wildlife, by posting a video in their remembrance.
FOREST DAY AT WILDLIFE RESERVES
The day was observed at Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, in a very special way by felicitating the foresters who excelled in forest fire control. A special edition of Wild Melghate-magazine was also published on the occasion.
Amarbad Tiger Reserve celebrated the day by indulging school children in various activities, like drawing, elocution and essay competitions. Winners were felicitated by the Field Director of the Reserve at the end of the day.
In Tillari Conservation Reserve, Sindhudurg, forest staff along with the local population celebrated the day by contributing in clearing and cleaning of waterholes for wildlife.
Amid various campaigns and environmental drives, Urban Park Adelly, Nirmal, Telangana, also celebrated this day with fun activities like games, drawing and essay competitions.
The South Panna Division conducted a workshop for strengthening the Joint Forest Management (JFM) committee on the occasion. JFM was formed in 2000 with the objective to involve local people in forest management. Since then, it has been doing great work in this field.
All these celebrations in different ways are basically a reminder to all about the significant role forests play in our lives and, hence, the urgent need to save them.
