Forests and Food: Celebrating the 2025 International Day of Forests
The International Day of Forests, observed annually on March 21st, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness about the vital role of all types of forests.
Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight different aspects of forestry; in 2025, the theme is “Forests and Food,” emphasizing the integral connection between forests and global food security.
Significance of Forests
Forests are essential to life on Earth, providing oxygen, sequestering carbon, supporting biodiversity, and offering resources such as food, medicine, and livelihoods to millions. They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change.
India’s Commitment to Forest Conservation
In India, forests are deeply intertwined with the nation’s culture, economy, and biodiversity. Recognizing their importance, the Indian government has implemented several policies and initiatives aimed at forest conservation and sustainable management:
- National Forest Policy, 1988: This policy aims to have at least 33% of the country’s geographical area under forest cover to maintain ecological stability.
- National Agroforestry Policy: Introduced to encourage the integration of trees into agricultural practices, this policy enhances both food security and forest conservation.
- Van Mahotsav: An annual tree-planting festival celebrated across India in July, Van Mahotsav promotes afforestation and raises public awareness about the importance of trees.
International Day of Forests 2025: “Forests and Food”
The 2025 theme, “Forests and Food,” underscores the critical link between forests and food systems. Forests provide a variety of edible products—such as fruits, nuts, seeds, and roots—that contribute to the nutrition and livelihoods of many communities, particularly indigenous and rural populations. In India, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are a significant source of sustenance and income for forest-dependent communities.
India’s Initiatives Aligning with the 2025 Theme
To align with the theme of “Forests and Food,” India has undertaken several initiatives:
- Agroforestry Schemes: Programs promoting the cultivation of trees alongside crops to enhance food production, improve soil health, and increase farmers’ incomes.
- Community Forest Management: Empowering local communities to manage and utilize forest resources sustainably ensures that forest conservation efforts are inclusive and effective.
- Promotion of NTFPs: Encouraging the sustainable harvesting and marketing of non-timber forest products supports livelihoods while conserving forest ecosystems.
Forests: Pillars of Food Security and Nutrition
Forests play a pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth, serving as a source of diverse food products that contribute to the nutrition and livelihoods of billions. They provide a variety of edible items, including fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, leaves, honey, wild meat, and insects, which are rich in essential nutrients. Wild meat, for instance, is a significant protein source for indigenous peoples and rural communities, especially in tropical regions.
Beyond direct food sources, forests support agriculture by maintaining soil fertility, regulating water cycles, and housing pollinators vital for crop production. Approximately 80% of agricultural land is used for livestock feed, underscoring the interdependence between forests and farming systems.
Forests and Livelihoods
Globally, forests are essential for the livelihoods of many communities, providing food, fuel, income, and employment. They support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators. They are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon.
Threats to Forests
Despite their significance, forests face numerous threats. Annually, 10 million hectares are lost due to deforestation, and approximately 70 million hectares are affected by fires. These losses not only diminish biodiversity but also impair the ecosystem services that forests provide, thereby threatening food security.
Global Initiatives and the Way Forward
The 2025 theme, “Forests and Food,” calls for global action to protect and restore forests as a means to ensure food security and nutrition. It emphasizes the need for sustainable forest management practices that balance ecological health with human needs. Innovative approaches, such as integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques, are vital. For example, in Benin, sacred traditions are combined with modern conservation efforts to protect mangrove forests, demonstrating the effectiveness of culturally integrated preservation strategies.
The International Day of Forests serves as a reminder of the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. In the Indian context, this day reinforces the importance of integrating forest conservation with food security and community livelihoods. By adopting sustainable practices and policies, India continues to work towards a future where forests and food systems coexist harmoniously, ensuring ecological balance and prosperity for all.
