“We are connected to and dependent on forests, yet many of us fail to realise this. This is a reason the United Nations recognises March 21 as the International Day of Forests to raise global awareness about the importance of forests.

“The International Day of Forests is being celebrated under the theme ‘Forests and sustainable production and consumption’. The theme emphasises the role forests must play in building a better, heathier and more equitable world as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Forests help to absorb carbon dioxide, provide us with important ecosystem services (e.g. water and oxygen), provides us with timber, medicine among many other products. They also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite the ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate. More than fifty million hectares of forests have been lost between 2015 and 2020.

“Seychelles recognises the importance and roles of forests. For this reason past national campaigns were aimed at reforesting some of the most eroded and degraded areas. Government is also developing new policies and plans to guide the overall sustainable use of forests and their resources. With the financial support of international donors, Seychelles is engaging in several programmes to include forestry inventories and assessments, control and eradication of alien invasive species, rehabilitation of native forests and ecosystem-based adaptation to ensure that forests are sustainably managed. A large proportion of our forests are already in protected areas.

“Sustainable management is crucial if we are depending on forests for timber and non-timber resources, to combating climate change by absorbing and storing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations. As we cut them down, oftentimes to make space for agriculture, they lose their ability to regulate the global climate.

“Investing in forestry education is crucial in changing the world for the better. Through our environment education programme, the ministry is committed to continue to work with its partners to raise awareness on forest ecosystems and the importance of their management.

To commemorate this day, the ministry is collaborating with its partners to organise a series of activities but at a low scale given the persistence of Covid-19. In an effort to restore degraded forested areas, the ministry will carry out tree planting activities throughout the week. Such event is a necessity given the roles that trees play in a forest ecosystem.

“Take a minute to think about the benefits you have received from the forest ecosystems and how you can help us in protecting trees. Let’s all do something. Every little action counts!”

Source: Seychelles Nation