Celebration of World Forestry Day, 21st March, 2012

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1 Celebration of World Forestry Day, 21st March, 2012 The World Forestry Day originated at 23rd General Assembly of European Confederation of Agriculture in The Ministry of Environment & Forests celebrated the World Forestry Day on 21st March, 2012 with the theme Role of Forests in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. On the occasion a function was organised at India International Centre, New Delhi with the objective to create awareness among public about the importance of forests in human well being as well as their critical role as life sustaining system. The programme was attended by Policy Makers, Foresters, NGOs, representatives from other departments and general public. Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment & Forests presided over the function as Chief Guest. Dr. R.K. Pachauri, DG, TERI delivered the keynote address.

2 Shri Jagdish Kishwan welcomed the Chief Guest and Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General TERI and other participants. Shri Jagdish Kishwan spoke about the divinity and reverence attached to nature in the Indian society and highlighted the great contribution of forests in the social, cultural and economic sphere of India. Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI delivered the keynote address on the occasion highlighting the role of forests in achieving Millennium Development Goals. He suggested new strategies and innovative ideas for integrating forestry sector into the mainstream of developmental programmes of other sectors which is necessary for improving the livelihood of tribals and forest dependent communities. He mentioned the growing population will create immense pressure on forest resources and meeting the food and energy needs of future would be the biggest challenge of mankind. There is a need for evolving sustainable development strategies and third generation energy sources derived from biomass as a possible solution and stressed the need of research for developing alternative development strategies and natural debt. Dr. Pachauri emphasised the role of forestry sector as a major sector for

3 building resilience against climate change as it has great mitigation potential. He appreciated works of foresters and suggested for massive plantation drive with stakeholder involvement, engaging private sector in afforestation.

4 Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment & Forests stated that the Government of India has accorded highest priority for conservation of forests and biodiversity of the country. In India the people living in and around forests are poor because of various reasons. They are totally dependent on forests for day to day needs. The National Forest Policy and strategies are mandated to enhance the livelihood of forest dependent communities particularly tribal on sustained basis securing the ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. The Minister mentioned that forests are primarily social and environmental resources, only secondarily as commercial resource. Indian forests contribute directly towards achieving the poverty alleviation, food security and environmental safety goals of Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) and indirectly contribute other five goals of MDGs.

5 It is an occasion reminding all of us the importance of forests and trees in the human welfare. This day coincides with spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. The Minister stressed the need for enhancing the income of forest depending community through afforestation, value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) including bamboo and medicinal plants. She emphasised to document the traditional knowledge for the sustainable harvest and regeneration of the minor forest produce including medicinal plants by the tribal community. This will require capacity building and skill

6 upgradation of local communities, creating modern infrastructure for storage, value addition and marketing linkages. The afforestation activities under various greening programmes alongwith biodiversity conservation and value addition of minor forest produce will go a long way in enhancing income generation of forest dependent communities as well as ensuring food and water security. She called for revisit of JFM Policies to make them more dynamic and integrated with holistic development of people in terms of livelihood support. She appreciated works of foresters for the society and called for more innovative approach for forestry sector development to realise its full potential for national development and achievement of MDGs.

7 Shri A.K. Bansal Addl. DGF spoke of evolving JFM programme into renewed JFM Plus by integrating it with livelihood support and developmental programmes of forest dependent communities. He informed that due to beginning of summer, World forestry day is not appropriate time for plantation activities and in India Van Mahotsava a festival of Forests is celebrated in July at the onset of Monsoon. He extended vote of thanks to the Hon ble Minister Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Dr. R.K.Pachauri, and all persons present especially for media.