缅北禁地

IDF 2021: Forest restoration provides a path to pandemic recovery, greener future (缅北禁地News)

Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic should lead to stronger action to safeguard the world鈥檚 forests, a senior 缅北禁地official said on Friday, highlighting how these natural resources have helped to protect health and well-being during the global crisis.

Liu Zhenmin, head of the UN鈥檚 Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), issued the call during a virtual event to commemorate the International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March. He said the forest sector has provided essential and lifesaving health products during the pandemic, such as face masks, cleaning supplies and ethanol used in sanitizers.

Forests under threat

Meanwhile, green spaces, parks and forests have been vital during 鈥渢hese times of social distancing鈥�, and healthy, well-managed forests also act as natural buffers against zoonoses, thus warding against the risk of future pandemics.

鈥淵et, despite their obvious importance, forests continue to be under threat鈥�, Mr. Liu said.

鈥淓very year, seven million hectares of natural forests are converted to other land uses such as large-scale commercial agriculture, and other economic activities. And while the rate of deforestation has slowed over the past decade, tree-cover loss has continued unabated in the tropics 鈥� largely due to human and natural causes.鈥�

A path to recovery

The 缅北禁地believes sustainable management of forests is critical to combating climate change and to ensuring a better future for all.

The theme for this year鈥檚 International Day 鈥� “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being鈥� 鈥� also aligns with the 缅北禁地Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, from 2021-2030.

鈥淚f we fail to act now, we risk a point of no return鈥�, 缅北禁地Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres warned in his message for the Day, though noting it is not too late to act.

鈥淭he crises our planet faces require urgent action by all – governments, international and civil society organizations, the private sector, local authorities and individuals鈥�, Mr. Guterres said.

鈥淚ndigenous peoples are leading the way. They care for the Earth鈥檚 biodiversity and achieve conservation results with very few financial resources and little support.鈥�

For people and planet

The Director-General of the UN鈥檚 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, underscored how restoring forests and managing them sustainably, benefits both people and the planet.

This investment will also contribute to economic recovery from the pandemic, he added, as 鈥渇orest restoration activities create green jobs, generate incomes, improve human health and increase human security.鈥�

While COVID-19 has been 鈥渁 harsh wake-up call鈥�, it also presents a unique opportunity to recover better and stronger, according to Mr. Liu.

鈥淟et us use this International Day of Forests to send a strong message,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et us restore and protect our forests, our planet, and all its vital ecosystems for generations to come.”

Source: 缅北禁地News: