Social forestry community Ciwidey, West Java, Indonesia – agroforestry sites with coffee, avocado, raisin, pineapple, banana, pine, eucalyptus etc. (UNEP/Taufany Eriz)

Today is the International Day of Forests. A time to look back at the essential role of forests to our life. This year the theme is called: “Healthy Forest for Healthy People”.

Forests provide a wide range of benefits to human health, both physical and mental.  Forests protect watersheds and hold soil together reducing erosion, which helps maintain the quality and quantity of water resources. They act as natural filters by absorbing and purifying water.

Spending time in forests can reduce stress and anxiety levels. They are also good places for physical exercise. The natural environment can make exercise more enjoyable and sustainable.

Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species, including many that have medicinal properties. Rural communities have long used these plants for their health benefits. Many modern medicines have been derived from forest species.

“It is estimated that around 820 million people live in tropical forests and savannahs in developing countries, including Indonesia. A high proportion of these people depend on forest goods and services for the provision of food, wood fuel, building materials, medicines, employment, and cash income”, said Rajendra Aryal, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste.

In addition, millions of forest owners in developed countries benefit from a huge number of often small patches of forests they manage. When smallholder farmers practicing agroforestry are included the number of people who can be considered as forest dependent, the total figure reaches around 2.5 billion.

The role of forests in the health of these populations is significant. Forests provide food, livelihood, and income earning opportunities that contribute to food security and nutrition.

Addressing the threats to Indonesian Forests

Indonesia has one of the largest tropical forest areas in the world, covering around 95  million hectares or 236 million acres. This forest area is spread across the country's many islands and covers half of the country overall. Indonesia’s forests are home to many plant and animal species, including the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, orangutan, and Javan rhinoceros.

However, Indonesia's forests have been facing significant threats in recent decades. The threats came due to deforestation, illegal logging, and forest fires, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and mining activities.

According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) of Indonesia, the country's forest area declined by around 6.02 million hectares between 2000 and 2020. The rate of deforestation has been decreasing significantly in recent years and from 2021 to 2022 the net deforestation was 113,000 ha, which is the lowest for over 30 years[

The Indonesian government has taken several measures to address deforestation and protect its forests. It includes a permanent moratorium on new licenses for primary forest and peatlands conversion, and a national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (known as REDD+).

However, despite these efforts, deforestation and forest degradation continue to be significant environmental challenges all across the globe.

“Forests have given us so much. We need to give back to our Forests. The Covid 19 pandemic has given us an important reminder, that humans, animals, and environment are closely interconnected. So, by working together with the government, FAO will work to face the challenges to contribute to make Indonesian forests sustainable. Healthy forests are essential for people’s health. It is indispensable.” Rajendra added.