INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FOREST 2025
- The International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed annually on March 21 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and their role in sustaining life on Earth.
- Established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, 2012, through Resolution 67/200, it encourages global efforts to protect and manage forests sustainably.
- The day aligns with the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing renewal and growth, though its significance is universal
- As per the United Nations website, the International Day of Forests (IDF) is dedicated to celebrating and promoting awareness about the significance of all types of forests. On this occasion, countries are encouraged to engage in local, national, and international initiatives, including activities such as tree-planting drives.
- The United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other relevant organizations, lead the observance of this day. The event was first celebrated in 2012
-
Forests play a crucial role in replenishing drinking water sources and function as natural filtration systems. Their root networks absorb excess nutrients and pollutants from rainwater runoff before it reaches underground aquifers, ensuring safe and clean water for consumption.
-
These same root systems help prevent landslides by stabilizing soil, mitigate flooding after heavy rainfall by aiding water absorption, and, in the case of mangrove forests, serve as natural coastal barriers that reduce the impact of storm surges.
-
One of the most vital functions of forests is supporting food security. They provide direct sources of sustenance, such as fruits and wild animals, while also aiding agriculture by protecting pollinators and supplying water.
-
Forests directly support the livelihoods of approximately 1.6 billion people by providing timber, fuel, food, employment, and shelter. Around 300 million individuals reside within forested areas. In India, to safeguard the rights of forest-dependent communities, the government enacted the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).
-
Forests are home to more than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, including 80% of amphibians and 75% of bird species. Tropical rainforests, in particular, harbor over half of the world's vertebrate species.
-
Alongside oceans and soil, forests serve as the planet’s largest carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of climate-warming gases primarily produced by burning fossil fuels.
-
Forests also contribute to cloud formation, which helps reflect sunlight back into space. Additionally, they act as natural air conditioners by releasing moisture into the atmosphere through evaporation, helping to regulate temperatures
-
In December 2024, the Ministry of Environment released the 18th edition of the State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023). Published every two years, the ISFR assesses forest cover across the country using satellite imagery.
-
Between 2021 and 2023, India's net forest cover expanded by 156.41 sq km, bringing the total forested area to 21.76% of the country's geographical land—an increase of just 0.05% compared to the 2021 assessment. With this growth, the total forest cover now stands at 7,15,342.61 sq km.
-
From 2003 to 2013, forest cover increased by 0.61 percentage points, rising from 20.62% to 21.23%. Over the subsequent decade, growth slowed, with only a 0.53 percentage point rise, reaching 21.76% in 2023.
-
Among states, Chhattisgarh recorded the highest increase in forest and tree cover (683.62 sq km), followed by Uttar Pradesh (559.19 sq km), Odisha (558.57 sq km), and Rajasthan (394.46 sq km). Conversely, Madhya Pradesh experienced the largest decline (612.41 sq km), followed by Karnataka (459.36 sq km), Ladakh (159.26 sq km), and Nagaland (125.22 sq km).
-
For the first time, a forest cover assessment of the Western Ghats was conducted. Findings revealed that the eco-sensitive zone designated by the central government has lost 58.22 sq km of forest cover since 2013.
-
The country's mangrove forests have seen a reduction of 7.43 sq km since 2021. As of now, India’s total mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 sq km, representing 0.15% of the nation's total land area
|
For Prelims: Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA), State Expert Committee, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
For Mains:
1. The Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023 has raised concerns about the potential weakening of protection for unclassed forests. Discuss the potential ecological and legal consequences of the FCAA, and suggest measures to ensure the sustainable management of these forests. (250 words)
2. “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Discuss the importance of unclassed forests for India's ecological security and suggest a multi-pronged approach for their sustainable management. (250 words)
|
|
Previous Year Questions
1. Which of the following statements about tropical rainforests are correct? (UPSC CAPF 2021)
1. The soils of tropical rainforests are quite infertile.
2. The vegetation is evergreen, enabling photosynthesis to take place year around.
3. They have been described as 'deserts covered by trees'.
4. They are the most productive land-based ecosystem.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 2 and 4 only B. 1, 3, and 4 only C. 1, 2, and 3 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. "If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement? (UPSC 2022)
A. The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation, and evaporation.
B. Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles, and mammals thrive.
C. Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
D. Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
3. If the tropical rainforest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to the tropical deciduous forest. This is because (UPSC 2011)
A. The soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients.
B. propagules of the trees in the rainforest have poor viability.
C. The rainforest species are slow-growing.
D. exotic species invades the fertile soil of rain forest.
4. Consider the following States:
1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram
In which of the above States do 'Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' occur? (UPSC 2015)
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
5. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently published the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, in 2020. Which of the following statements is correct about EIA? (Punjab Civil Service 2020)
1. It predicts the effect of a proposed industrial/infrastructural project on the environment.
2. It prevents the proposed activity/project from being approved without proper oversight or taking adverse consequences into account.
3. It compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits.
4. As per the new notification, Coal and non-Coal mineral prospecting and solar photovoltaic projects do not need prior environmental clearance.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. Only 1 and 2 B. Only 2, 3 and 4 C. Only 1, 2 and 3 D. Only 1, 2 and 4
6. With reference to the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements: (UPSC 2014)
1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education, and public awareness.
3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
7. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)
1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
2. People's participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
8. Consider the following States: (UPSC 2019)
1. Chhattisgarh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Odisha
With reference to the State mentioned above, in terms of the percentage of forest cover to the total area of the State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
A. 2-3-1-4 B. 2-3-4-1 C. 3-2-4-1 D. 3-2-1-4
9. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (UPSC 2021) (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 10. A particular State in India has the following characteristics: (UPSC 2012) 1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes the Protected Area Network in this State.
Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics? (a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Assam (c) Himachal Pradesh (d) Uttarakhand 11. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)
1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
12. The Indian Forest Act 1927 was enacted after repealing which of the following Indian forest acts? (SSC CGL 2021)
A. Indian Forest Act, 1922
B. Indian Forest Act, 1878
C. Indian Forest Act, 1865
D. Indian Forest Act, 1882
13. In which year Forest Conservation Act was passed? (UPTET 2019)
A. 1986 B. 1990 C. 1980 D. 1988
Answer: 1-D, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C, 5-D, 6-C, 7-A, 8-C, 9-D, 10-A, 11-B, 12-B, 13-C
Mains1. What are the consequences of Illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO AND NO GO zones for coal mining sector. (UPSC 2013)
2. Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (UPSC 2020)
|
