Forests at your service
"Forests: Nature at Your Service” was the theme for World Environment Day (WED)-2011 observed on June 5. The theme emphasises the variety of life-sustaining services that forests provide and calls us all to take action to protect these resources and move towards a green economy. Mother nature, is very kind to us as she always converts our filthy carbon-dioxide into glorious oxygen, without which we couldn't live! She inspires us with her splendours - the drifting clouds, the gentle breeze, the lush green meadows, the magnificent forests tells that life is very beautiful, live it. Nature has beauty and nature has fury -- she teaches us to learn from both! From the beginning, after the big bang, it is said that there was only dinosaurs. At that time intelligent mother nature gifted us forests because she knew that forests were the solution for everything. It would give food, shelter and maintain most biologically diverse ecosystems on land -- forests are home to more than half of terrestrial species. Not only animals, forests are now home to 300 million people worldwide and source of 1.6 billion people's earning. And forests are the “Lungs of Earth!” “Forests do wonderful things. They bind soil to the ground, regulate water supplies, and help govern the climate” (UNDP: Human Development report 1998). The largest area of rainforest in the world is in Brazil accommodating 50-200 different kinds of trees per hectare. Scientists estimate that there are more than 50 million different species of invertebrates living in rainforests while millions haven't been named or identified yet. They all are maintaining the ecological balance of this earth for which we are surviving on this planet. Forests provide many important natural resources, such as timber, fuel, rubber, paper and medicinal plants. They help sustain the quality and availability of freshwater supplies. More than three quarters of the world's accessible freshwater comes from forested catchments. Water quality declines with decreases in forest condition and cover, and natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion occur with larger impacts. Forests feed our rivers and are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities. They create and maintain soil fertility; they help to regulate the often devastating impact of storms, floods and fires. The impact of forests reaches even further. In many developing countries more than 80% of total energy consumed by people and industry is derived from forests. Such as fuel wood and charcoal . Use of the genetic diversity within forests enables the development of new medicines leading to progress in healthcare and science. A total of 17,291 species are known to be threatened with extinction -- from obscure plants and insects to well-known birds and mammals. What's the reason? Human activities. With our present approach to development, we have caused the clearing of much of the original forests, drained half of the world's wetlands, depleted three quarters of all fish stocks, and emitted enough heat-trapping gases to keep our planet warming for centuries to come. As a result, we are increasingly risking the loss of the very foundation of our own survival. Forests absorb CO2, cover 31% of total land area while supporting 80% of terrestrial biodiversity that live in them. Forests are under threat because the world's forests are being cut down to provide timber and to make way for farms, buildings and roads. Besides, often forest fire flames sweep through destroying trees, saplings and animals. The lions, tigers depend on forest, but are under threat from farmers who are desperate for land. Shortage of land makes conservation difficult. Shockingly, 36 million acres of natural forest are lost each year. Bangladesh, a low-lying country, is known globally as one of the most vulnerable spots to climate change. High population density, unplanned town expansion, unplanned cutting of trees and forest increase risk to Bangladeshi people. We must organise activities to reduce problems and promote calls among our communities, schools and organizations for pledge to save forests in this world. We should protect native forests : * As carbon storehouses * By planting native trees in urban and deforested areas * To reduce soil erosion and water pollution * By keeping forest habitat calm and quiet for native wildlife * For human health as they produce oxygen and improve air quality * To reduce home energy needs as they provide shade in summer and a wind break in winter * To reduce use of fossil fuels * By more tree plantation as without tree oxygen becomes a limited resource, animals lose homes and the Earth loses beauty * By recycling papers as it reduces consumption of trees. * By not buying wood products from forests * Prohibiting indiscriminate walk inside the forests. We should create awareness by reading, learning and conveying message to others about the importance of forests. We know that from observance of WED 2009 and WED 2010 some solution came out to save the environment. So, the theme “Forests: Nature at your Service” WED-2011, of would also make remarkable contribution for environment. The time is to act now send out a message to the world that we need to unite, agree to save our forests to combat climate change before it is too late. The writer is a class VIII student of Little Jewels School, Chittagong.
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