Held on : 21st March
World Forestry Day is celebrated annually on 21st March to raise awareness about the importance and conservation of Forests all over the world. The concept of having a World Forestry Day originated at the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971. Later that year, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation gave support to the idea believing the event would contribute a great deal to public awareness of the importance of forests and agreed that it should be observed every year around the world. March 21, the autumnal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere was chosen as the day to be celebrated offering information about the three key facets of forestry, protection, production and recreation. It is a day to remind communities that in the survival of the forests lies the survival of humanity.
A forest is a complex, living community. Beneath the forest canopy dwell interdependent populations of plants and animals, while the soil that forms the forest floor contains a large variety of invertebrates, bacteria and fungi which play an essential role in cycling nutrients in the soil and the forest. Forests provide many valuable things for the whole community. These include fresh water from forested catchments, a safe home for our flora and fauna, timber for our homes, furniture and paper, beautiful scenery and rugged environments for those who enjoy the outdoors, pollen and nectar for honey production, and archaeological and historical sites. Over the years, the area under forest cover has decreased steadily, as they are being cleared for agriculture, industry, housing, and other development activities like the construction of roads, railways, and hydroelectric plants. There is an urgent need to save and conserve the forests for us and the coming generations. On this day various activities related to raising awareness about forests are held. These include campaigns of tree plantations, public rallies by school and college students, poster making competition, essay competition, special programmes on Radio and Television etc.
Alternate Name - World Forest Day, International Day of Forests
