Putting Down Roots

The International day of Forests is commemorated annually on March 21st. 

This much celebrated, global calendar event, is well respected amongst environmental organizations, and other civil society groups that make it their business to push for awareness as it pertains to environmental issues. Add to that list, your friendly local outdoor and nature enthusiasts.

How the date was established as an environmental calendar event globally: 

The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 21st of March the International Day of Forests in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts, to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.

The 2021 Theme:
“Forest restoration - a path to recovery and well-being”. Restoring forests serves to build a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations. In essence we are 'putting down roots' for a greater cause than just immediate benefits to be had, but for our children and their children. By replanting and managing forests sustainably, we can help preserve our planet’s biodiversity and combat climate change while fostering economic activity that creates jobs and improves lives as we enter the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

Forests cover one third of the Earth’s land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Roughly about 1.6 billion people including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures,  depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicines, food and shelter. While trees are the defining component of forests and their diversity can give an indication of overall diversity, there are many other ways to determine the biodiversity significance of forests.  Forests are arguably among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, and is home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. 

Some other important functions of trees in forest eco-systems.
During the day, trees absorb carbon dioxide for the process of photosynthesis and give oxygen, to the air that we breathe. The carbon in forests exceeds the amount of carbon currently in the atmosphere. Forests and forest soils store more than one trillion tonnes of carbon. Despite all of the priceless gems of ecological, economic, social and health related benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate. 

Forests, through their ecosystem services, are a key nature-based solution for rebuilding the global economy post-pandemic in a way that preserves nature, while fostering growth. Today, every society has at least some interaction with forests and the biodiversity they contain and people therefore benefit, from the functions provided by components of this biodiversity in the carbon, water and nutrient cycles. 

Also to be noted are the major linkages with food production. In the case of rural communities globally, people often participate in the value chains of forest biodiversity, for example by collecting wood and non-wood products from nearby forests for personal use or sale, or engaging in forest product industries or value addition.
Non-consumptive uses of forest biodiversity, such as recreation and tourism, are also a growing part of rural cash economies. Each year an estimated 8 billion visits are made to protected areas, many of which are forest covered.

Indigenous peoples globally, depend largely on forest biodiversity for their livelihoods, although Areas that are inhabited or managed primarily by indigenous peoples (approximately 28 percent of the world’s land surface) include some of the most ecologically intact forests and many hotspots of biodiversity. This in itself shows that sustainability and conservation can be positively embraced by a society , which by extension improves how  sensitive eco-systems are treated with and cared for. 

The Value of Forest Eco-Systems in Tobago's Space:
If you were to ever visit villages such as Castara,  Parlatuvier, Speyside or Charlotteville
(just to name a few) it is very obvious how close in proximity to natural forest type eco-systems these villages are set up and established. Additionally the "Biosphere" as designated by the UNESCO in 2020 (Man and the Biosphere designation) Tobago remains a large benefactor of such natural flora and fauna all housed within the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and it's environs (areas in and around the Biosphere designation).

Biosphere reserves are definitely ‘learning spaces for sustainable development’.
They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and proper management of biodiversity through the said research and collection of data. 

As it relates to Tobago specifically, many villages as mentioned above rely on this forest eco-system as a major contributor to their tourism and recreational output. In the physical sense, visitors can not only experience 'eco-tourism' products, but also have a genuine appreciation for the natural beauty that lies within such habitats and eco-systems. Add a bit of local cuisine which was produced within small scale crops birthed within the said biosphere and environs, each village boasts of something special on offer for visitors.

Sustainability is key in maintaining such an already vulnerable tourism product, particularly since the world is reeling from the effects of a global pandemic. Many may argue that the 'west' of the island, with it's bright lights and buzzing nightlife is ripe for tourism and all things related to leisure time activities for guests to the island. On a more realistic note however, the eco-tourism product in Tobago along with its related activities can put on a comparable or arguably an even more suitable show for a tourism product that is uniquely "Tobago". The long and short is that there is a wealth of knowledge and benefits to be gained from the Biosphere and all therein. 

How did we mark the International day of Forests?
Environment Tobago marked this occasion by engaging in planting the following:
Moringa Trees, Breadfruit Trees, Jamoon Trees,
(with the aim to create a mini-forest for fruit wine making) .
The overarching goal of this initiative is geared towards developing an educational area on exotic fruits of Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean region. 

A Collaborative Effort: (SDG 17 in motion)  
CZITT (Carbon Zero Initiative of Trinidad and Tobago), 
The Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance T&T Chapter, "Plant Yuh Roots",  and NU IRON
This along with the High Commissioner of Jamaica, His Excellency  Arthur H.W. Williams, 
Former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago , Justice Anthony Carmona, and the Exchange Farmer's Association in Couva, Trinidad, were contributors and participants in this initiative.

Environment Tobago's very own Sean McCoon, The Tree Planting Ambassador representing Tobago was present to participate and lead a team in this exercise. Also volunteering were representatives from Qualitech Limited and the St James Police Youth Club