Message for World Forest Day – If Nature Stays Healthy, Forests Will Thrive
At the sacred site of Jahania Peetha, World Forest Day was observed through a joint initiative of the Puri Wildlife Forest Division, the District Project Implementation Organization, the Astaranga Wildlife Range, and the SWAAD-ACRIC team, under the leadership of Astaranga Wildlife Officer Mr. Ramesh Chandra Jani, on Tuesday.
The chief guest of the event, honorary Wildlife Warden of Puri District Mr. Shobhakar Behera, addressed the gathering and stated that every year, March 21 is celebrated as International Forest Day — a day dedicated to nature. He emphasized the need to think before causing harm to the very nature that has created us. A healthy environment ensures the well-being of human society. In this spirit, International Forest Day is observed annually.
Mr. Behera further shared that nearly 1.6 billion people across the globe, including over 2,000 indigenous cultures, rely on forests for their livelihood, medicine, fuel, food, and shelter. Forests are home to more than 80% of the world’s terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects — making them critical to biodiversity.
He also expressed concern that over 32 million acres of forest are lost each year. This leads to the displacement of many species and contributes to the depletion of important carbon-absorbing ecosystems and oxygen production. Alarmingly, carbon dioxide emissions from global transport systems are on the rise even as forests are destroyed. Forests cover about 30% of the Earth’s surface, yet this essential natural resource is rapidly declining.
Guest speaker Mr. Bichitrananda Bishwal elaborated on the benefits of forests, describing how they provide wood, food, fuel, and biological products, help conserve carbon, purify air and water, and protect wildlife habitats. He also highlighted forests’ role in maintaining ecological balance.
Another speaker, Mr. Bimvadar Bishwal, shared insights on how forests serve as sources of recreation, cultural heritage, and social tradition, revealing many of their hidden societal and spiritual benefits.
Former Sarpanch Mr. Prafulla Bishwal urged local villagers to actively engage in tree plantation and protection initiatives.
Astaranga Wildlife Officer Mr. Jani stated that International Forest Day is celebrated globally through a variety of independent programs designed to raise awareness about the value of forests.
Distinguished guests present at the event included local Sarpanch of Chhuriana Gram Panchayat Mr. Kshiroda Kandi, senior journalist Dushasan Nayak, forest guard Sabir Sahu, forest ranger Bhavgrahi Sethy, and Dillip Nayak. Chairperson of the Gundalaba Forest Protection Committee, Mrs. Charulata Bishwal, along with other members and participants, also actively took part in the discussions.
