Print

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -  The Conservation and Development Division (CDD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) hosted the celebration of the International Day of Forests (IDF) 2021 with this year’s theme: “Forest restoration: A path to recovery and well- being.” The DENR- I event which was held at the DENR- I Social Hall, Government Center, was highlighted with various activities in observance of minimum health protocols on March 22, 2021.

The IDF 2021 event was participated by DENR- I foresters and highlighted with a brief program wherein DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo shared his experienced as Forest Guard in the DENR Region- III before becoming a lawyer. Likewise, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Felix Taguba, a certified forester and newly- appointed Director III, discussed briefly the present forest cover in Luzon particularly the Sierra Madre Mountains. Games like Forest Quiz Bee and Forest Identification (Dendrology) also refreshed the guts and renewed camaraderie of the participating foresters grouped into four while the beauty and brains Mr. and Ms. Lakan and Lakambini made the event a bit lively.

The restoration and sustainable management of forests can help in addressing the issues related to climate change and biodiversity. It also carries the potential to produce goods and services for sustainable development, fostering an economic activity that creates jobs and improve lives. On International Day of Forests, countries around the world are motivated to undertake local, national, and international efforts to conduct activities for forests and trees such as tree- planting campaigns.

The United Nations proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to commemorate and raise awareness of the significance of all types of forests. This day is a reminder of the value of forests in the lives of living creatures. Forests play a major role in providing food, water, and shelter to animals as well as human beings in uncountable ways. (GCG- RSCIG)