International Day of Forests 2025, Theme, History

World Forestry Day, also known as International Day of Forests, is observed on 21st March every year to spread awareness about the importance of forests and their role in sustaining life on Earth. The theme for the year 2025 is “Forests and Foods.” Forests are very important for human survival and environmental balance as they provide oxygen, store carbon and support biodiversity. In this article, we are going to cover the importance of world forestry day, the importance of forests and their conservation, afforestation and sustainable management of forest resources. 

International Day of Forests 2025

The International Day of Forests 2025 is celebrated every year to increase global understanding of the critical role of forests in providing food security and biodiversity. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly established this day to bring the focus and spread awareness about the importance of Forestry. 

World Forestry Day 2025 Theme 

The theme of World Forestry Day 2025 is “Forests and Food” that brings to attention the important role of forests in food systems. The aim is to highlight the important role of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Apart from providing food, forests also provide fuel, income and jobs while maintaining healthy soil and protecting water sources. This year’s theme urges policymakers to formulate policies with forests at the heart of climate change. 

‹ ›

History of World Forestry Day

The concept of World Forestry Day originated in 1971 during the 16th session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The idea was to dedicate a day to raising awareness about the importance of forests worldwide.

Since its official recognition by the United Nations in 2012, the International Day of Forests has gained global participation. Various countries organize tree-planting drives, educational programs, and awareness campaigns to promote forest conservation.

Importance of Forests 

Forests are essential for human survival and environmental balance, offering numerous benefits:

• Food and Medicine: They provide fruits, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and honey, meeting the food and medicinal needs of over 5 billion people worldwide.
• Cooking Fuel: Wood and traditional fuels remain the primary cooking source for over 2 billion people, especially in rural areas.
• Agricultural Support: Forests enrich soil, retain water, and provide habitats for pollinators, boosting crop production.
• Rural Livelihoods: They contribute nearly 20% of rural household income, ensuring a diverse and nutritious diet.
• Water and Food Security: Forests supply freshwater, enhance water quality, and play a vital role in global food security.

Forestry in India

India has a rich and diverse forest ecosystem, covering 21.71% of its total land area (India State of Forest Report 2023). These forests are classified into tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, mangroves, alpine forests, and thorn forests.

• Forest and Tree Cover: India’s total forest and tree cover stands at 8,27,357 sq km (25.17%), including 1,12,014 sq km of tree cover.
• Increase in Forest Cover: The forest cover increased by 156 sq km compared to 2021.
• Major Forested States: Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra have the highest forest cover, while Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan have shown an increase since 2021.
• Carbon Stock and Sequestration: India’s forests store 7,285.5 million tonnes of carbon, contributing to an additional 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink.
• Economic Contribution: Forests support India’s economy through timber, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), medicinal plants, and ecotourism.
• Conservation Efforts: Government initiatives like the National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Green India Mission, and Joint Forest Management (JFM) play a crucial role in forest.

World Forestry Day 2025 Significance

World Forestry Day 2025 emphasizes the crucial link between forests and food security. It aims to:

• Raise awareness about the role of forests in sustaining agriculture and human health.
• Encourage sustainable farming that integrates forests and biodiversity.
• Promote conservation efforts to combat deforestation and habitat loss.
• Highlight government initiatives for afforestation and forest protection.
• Inspire individual action in environmental conservation.

This day serves as a reminder of how forests support food security, climate stability, and biodiversity. Understanding their importance helps us work toward a more sustainable future.