NCCF celebrates the International Day of Forests on this 21st March 2023

The International Day of Forests has a long history, dating back to 1971, when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) established World Forestry Day. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st March as the International Day of Forests in 2012. Ever since the Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness about the significance of forests and biodiversity for humankind and the planet. This year’s theme is “Forests and Health”.

NCCF is engaged in diverse conservation activities including, development and implementation of globally benchmarked and India specific sustainability certification standards for various constituents of our natural resource base, viz, Forests, Trees outside Forests, Safeboards, Non-Wood Forest Resources, Quality Planting Material, Ecotourism and Protected Areas and Wetlands, etc. NCCF has also developed a Carbon Registry-India (CR-I) to provide a platform for carbon tracking and trading for verified net Green House Gases emissions reductions and removals enhancement with Sustainable Development Contributions.

Although the theme mentions about health to mankind, NCCF, as a consortium partner in the USAID’s Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program, has been striving to protect and improve the health of the forests and tree cover. NCCF has also been active in policy advocacy for the wood-based industries and on important issues in forestry and environment, in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

NCCF’s sustainability standards have immense potential to contribute towards sustainable development, sustainable management of forests/trees outside forests, climate action, land restoration and biodiversity conservation.

As we mark this day, let us pledge to restore the health of the planet by preserving our environment, forests and biodiversity.