IDF 2023: Promoting sustainable forestry for a healthier ASEAN community
Waterfalls in Hpa-An, Myanmar
by Wai Yan for the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Press Statement for the International Day of Forests on 21 March
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity is one with the ASEAN countries and the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Forests (IDF) today, the 21st of March. Since the proclamation of the United Nations Assembly in 2012, the IDF highlights the significance of raising awareness to conserve all types of forests at the community, national, and international levels. Likewise, it underscores the dynamic interrelationship between forest and people, which could be key in creating inroads for green recovery and in building sustainable, resilient, and climate-smart communities in the post-COVID-19 era.
With the theme, “Forest and Health”, the IDF calls for ‘giving, not just taking, and recognising that healthy forests will bring healthy people’. Not only do forests contribute to a multitude of ecosystem services beneficial for the survival of all species, but more so, in facilitating conditions that would enable human beings to attain better life satisfaction – for those whose lives are interwoven with the forests and even for those who are away from them and dependent on urban ecosystems.
Almost 2 million square kilometres of forests span the ASEAN region. As of 2020, the ASEAN region’s forest ecosystems occupy around 47% of its total land area. One of the world’s most diversified forest ecosystems is also found in the region. Forests are identified by their location, distribution, and species composition, soil quality, and climate. These ecosystem types include tropical rain evergreen forests, mixed dipterocarp forests (i.e., dry and lowland), mountain forests (e.g., montane and sub-alpine); hill and evergreen forests; heath forests; plantation forests; limestone forests; and mangrove forests.
Sustaining ASEAN forests
The ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) was launched by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity in 2021 to spark an ecosystem restoration movement in the ASEAN region and to recognise the value of planting and growing native trees and ensuring the compatibility of site species in reforestation across the region. It calls for a whole-of-society approach and appreciates both science and traditional knowledge as bases for a successful tree-planting campaign.
The AGI promotes the planting of 10 million native trees across 10 ASEAN Member States in 10 years. It will be achievable when all sectors are involved because everyone, either directly or indirectly, benefits from healthy forest ecosystems. Together with its existing program partners, the ACB enjoins the youth, professionals, and advocates to participate in this program that achieves multiple benefits, including protecting habitats and species, addressing climate change impacts, ensuring food security, and contributing to economic recovery and stability.
ASEAN’s forests, if sustainably managed, will provide, not only a steady source of timber and forest products revenues but also other services such as preventive health care, alternative medicine, outdoor education, and other explicit benefits that demonstrate the interconnection between forests and human health. Tree planting activities coupled with best practices on sustainable forest management are highly encouraged to halt losses in natural resources and biodiversity.
No action is insignificant and greater collaboration is ever more important. With healthier and sustainably managed forest ecosystems, ASEAN can indeed become the epicentre for green growth.
Happy International Day of Forests!
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