Combating forest fires in focus on Day 1 of UN forum; India Shares Revised National Forest Policy

Subject: Environment

Sec: Int convention

Tag: UN Forum on forest

Context:

Details

Theme of discussion: Combating forest fires and developing a Model Forest Act.
- Discussions on the UN’s strategic plan for forests 2017-2030 and considered activities that support the thematic priorities for the biennium 2023-24.
Global forest goals include:
- Enhancing forest-based economic, social, and environmental benefits; significantly increasing the area of protected forests; mobilising financial resources; and promoting governance frameworks to implement sustainable forest management.
- Additional focus was given to fostering cooperation, coordination, and synergies as cross-cutting goals.

India’s contribution:

India shared its revised National Forest Policy, which included a series of recommendations aimed at addressing forest fires.
India advocated for a holistic strategy towards forest fire management, emphasizing prevention, management, and post-fire restoration through policy reforms. The country has incorporated technology such as remote sensing and online geoportals for real-time fire monitoring and reporting. It also supports the use of ecosystem-based methods for rehabilitation after fires.
India called for the development of universal global standards for forest certification to ensure consistent quality across existing programs.
The nation acknowledged the vital role communities play in managing forest fires and highlighted the increasing frequency, scale, and impact of these fires on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human welfare.
Moreover, India proposed the establishment of a Global Fire Management Hub, facilitated by the UNEP and FAO, to foster international collaboration and knowledge sharing in fire mitigation efforts.

Contributions of other countries:

Ukraine outlined its expanded Forest Code, detailing the impact on forests due to the Russian invasion.
Costa Rica highlighted its ban on deforestation, forest cover protection, and payment for ecosystem services.
Indonesia presented its Forest and Other Land Use Net Sink 2030 strategy.
Malaysia committed to keeping at least 50 per cent of its territory under tree cover, with a plan to plant 7.9 million trees.
Nepal reviewed its progress in community-managed forests, restored forests, protected areas, and tree planting policies.
Guatemala from Latin America reported a reduction in its annual deforestation rate to 0.36 per cent.

About the UN Forum on Forests:

It promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.
Established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).
The Forum meets annually at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together representatives of all member states and forest-related agencies for high-level dialogue on technical matters in odd years and policy matters in even years.
The forum has universal membership and is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies.
India is a founding member of UNFF.

About the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030:

In January 2017, during a special session of the UN Forum on Forests, the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests was agreed upon, outlining a forward-looking vision for the world’s forests by 2030.
This plan, officially adopted by the UN Economic and Social Council in April 2017 and later by the UN General Assembly, comprises six Global Forest Goals along with 26 associated targets.
These targets, which are both voluntary and universal, include an ambitious aim to expand global forest area by 3% or 120 million hectares (more than twice the size of France) by 2030.
The plan aligns with the broader 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the need for decisive and collective action to achieve significant and sustainable change.

Source: DTE