Event on International Day of Forests Held in Gakh District

On March 29th, IDEA, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized an event at school#2 of Gakh district to mark the 2019 International Day of Forests. The event took place as part of a larger joint project to support the implementation of the awareness-raising campaign on socio-economic and environmental benefits of forests.

Known as the “lungs of the planet”, forests are the world’s most precious natural resource. They play crucial role in overcoming the negative effects of climate change, protecting and preserving wildlife, sustaining ecosystems and ecological balance, regulating climate, stabilizing soil, increasing water in rivers and lakes, as well as improving socio-economic development and the welfare of people. Even though, the situation with Azerbaijan's forests has improved in recent years, through a number of measures, including reforestation and afforestation, the damage caused by human activities, especially pollution, illegal logging and overgrazing, still requires a serious attention. One of the critical steps to safeguarding natural resources is to educate public, especially the young people. Therefore, the project partners determined to conduct regular seminars for the rural people living in forested areas.

The main purpose of the seminar organized in Gakh was to involve the younger generation in efforts to protect the environment, especially forests, and educate them on the sustainable forest management, including the restoration of destroyed forests, ways to increase forest areas.

During the seminar, school students were informed on the harmful consequences of improper and negligent use of forests, achievements in forest conservation, current ecological condition of forests, wildfires and prevention measures, protection of biodiversity during the use of forests, as well as ways to combat other environmental problems in the forest sector. Interactive games and competitions were organized to help increase the understanding of forests. Further, informational booklets on proper planting and care of trees were handed to students.

Finally, to celebrate the International Day of Forests, in the schoolyard, students planted a total of 50 fruit trees, including cherry, apple, pear and peach.

Taking into account a vital impact of forestry education among children and young people similar events are scheduled to take place in other forested regions of the country.