International Day of Forests: Innovating for greener tomorrow

Back in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly made a heartfelt move by marking March 21 as the International Day of Forests. This wasn’t just a date on the calendar; it was a global call to action to shine a light on and deepen our understanding of the rich diversity and vital importance of forests around the world. It’s about rallying together — whether we’re part of local communities, entire nations, or the global family — to celebrate our forests through activities that bring us closer to nature, like planting trees that stand as living legacies.

Thanks to leaps in technology and innovation, we’re now better equipped than ever to keep a watchful eye on our forests, tracking changes and protecting these natural treasures with precision. We’ve managed to report a staggering 13.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide emission reductions or enhancements from forests to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come in our ability to monitor and care for our planet’s lungs.

The theme for the International Day of Forests in 2024 is Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World, highlighting the transformative power of fresh ideas and technologies in forest management and conservation. It’s a reminder that innovation is our ally in safeguarding these ecosystems for future generations.

According to Simranjit Kaur, TGT Science at Apeejay School, Tanda Road in Jalandhar, with the advent of modern gadgets and sophisticated machinery, the entire globe has been revolutionised. “We all quite often engage in conversations regarding how technology has had a big impact on our lives but one topic that is seldom brought up is how technology can be used to conserve nature, and also have a major impact on our ecosystem,” the educator said.

Technology nowadays is being used for active surveillance of dense forests, penetrating which is difficult for man, she shared. “Any wildfire in the forests can be detected within seconds via the satellite system and adequate measures can be taken to extinguish the fires all within no time. Technology is also being used to actively surveillance endangered species like orangutans and spider monkeys. Thermal imaging improves the visibility of objects in a dark environment and helps protect animals from poachers who mainly operate at night. This ensures balance in our ecosystem,” Simranjit said.

Third, drones are being actively used for planting saplings in large deforested lands that are difficult to reach. They are also faster in action and hence more efficient than manual labour. “Moreover, the craze for modern gadgets like iPads, and phones amongst the youth and the use of computers in corporate offices and workplaces has decreased the need for paper which can be used only once and are thrown away thus saving nature. It is our moral duty as well as our need to conserve nature. If we destroy nature, nature will destroy us,” Simranjit said in conclusion.