Our forests, our lives.
Forests cover about a third of the earth’s land area and are essential to the health of our environment. For example, trees and forests absorb and store much of the carbon dioxide that otherwise would be contributing to climate change. Forests are home to about 80 percent of remaining terrestrial biodiversity. Forests also regulate water cycles, maintain soil quality, and reduce the risks of natural disasters such as floods.
Many of these services are undervalued although they are key to the resilience and green growth of local, national and global economies. Increasing finance for forest conservation and protection is a priority – particularly at a time when natural systems are coming under demographic, economic and climatic pressure. Although the pace of deforestation has slowed in some regions, the world still loses about 14.5 million hectares of forests each year. Worldwide, an estimated 2 billion hectares of lost or degraded forest landscapes could be restored and rehabilitated, returning landscapes and communities to their healthy productive potential, (IBRD, 2013).
Forest species and habitats have major social, cultural and spiritual significance. For example, in northern part of Tanzania some big and small forests known as Mshitu and Mpungi, respectively, are venerated by different clans of Pare and Gweno tribes.
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