Date of issue: 21 March 2024

Forests stand as vital pillars for our existence, serving as crucial components of our planet’s ecosystem. In commemoration of the International Day of Forests, ZELA joins the global community in celebrating their profound significance. Forests not only contribute to addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development, but also provide indispensable ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water regulation and habitat provision for diverse flora and fauna. Moreover, forests are lifelines for countless communities worldwide, sustaining their livelihoods and well-being.

This year’s theme for International Day of Forests (IDF) 2024, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” resonates deeply with the contemporary movement towards fostering dynamism in environmental conservation. At a time when voices of innovation are increasingly being heard, particularly in the realm of sustainable natural resource management, this theme underscores the imperative for pioneering solutions to safeguard our forests.

In an era marked by technological advancement, digital innovation has become indispensable in forestry practices. Utilizing remote sensing technologies to generate satellite imagery enables us to monitor forest cover changes, identify patterns and trends in forest loss and employ drones for real-time forest monitoring and data collection. Innovations such as biodegradable sensors have revolutionized forest management by facilitating the monitoring of soil moisture and temperature, particularly in remote forest areas. These technological advancements are critical in enhancing forest monitoring systems and promoting reforestation efforts.

Key drivers of deforestation include activities such as firewood collection, agriculture, mining, wildfires, tobacco curing, logging, and urbanization. To combat these drivers sustainably, we advocate for the adoption of alternative energy sources such as use of solar, biogas stoves and tsotso stoves. The development of comprehensive land use plans by local authorities is pertinent in mitigating unsustainable land use practices and overharvesting that result in deforestation.

As a premier environmental law organization, ZELA remains steadfast in raising awareness on the critical importance of forests through various programmatic interventions. We continue to educate the public on legal provisions that promote forest conservation and sustainable use such as the Forest Act and the Communal Land Forest Produce Act, which serve as essential legal instruments for sustainable forest management. We staunchly advocate for the recognition of communities’ use and access rights to forest resources. This recognition is fundamental in ensuring fair and equitable distribution of benefits derived from forest resources among communities. Meaningful community participation in the governance and management of forest resources is essential in promoting fair access and equitable benefit sharing. This involvement fosters transparency and accountability in the forestry sector. Our advocacy efforts champion Sustainable Development Goal 15 which aims to protect, restore, and sustainably manage terrestrial ecosystems, including forests to combat desertification, halt land degradation and preserve biodiversity. This has also significantly resulted in the intensive promotion of forest conservation as part of nature-based solutions for climate change.

Indigenous knowledge systems also emerge as invaluable innovations contributing to forest conservation. Local cultures have cultivated practices that ensure the sustainable management and preservation of forests. As we honour the importance of forests, it is imperative to continue taping into Indigenous knowledge systems to inform our forest conservation efforts.

The adoption of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in forestry should serve as a catalyst for the integration of gender-sensitive approaches to forestry conservation. Women play important roles in agroecology by ensuring family food security, using medicinal plants, producing handicrafts, and passing on forest knowledge to future generations, all of which revolve around forests. Thus, gender mainstreaming in forestry is imperative. Efforts must be amplified to facilitate women’s meaningful participation in forestry management. By elevating the voices of women and other marginalized groups, we can foster more inclusive and effective approaches to forest management that acknowledge and harness the diverse contributions of all community members.

Additionally, forests serve as vital sources of sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, particularly those grappling with the impacts of climate change.  Through the extraction and utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFP), such as wild fruits and mopane worms, among others, these communities derive essential income and sustenance. Furthermore, forests play a crucial role in enhancing community resilience against various threats stemming from climate change. They act as buffers against underlying factors such as food security, malnutrition, and poverty. Moreover, forests serve as natural barriers, mitigating the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, that can devastate homesteads and infrastructure.

For the conservation and preservation of forests, we recommend the following actions:

• Reviewing and strengthening current legal frameworks to address emerging challenges and promote sustainable forest management practices.
• Promoting the use of alternative sources of energy to mitigate deforestation and reduce demand for wood.
• Sustainable Land Use Planning: to strike a balance between forestry management and agriculture expansion, mining, and urbanization which cause deforestation.
• Indigenous knowledge integration into forestry management practices.
• Increased awareness and education programs or campaigns.
• Strengthening of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms through technology to combat forestry crimes and other activities that threaten forest ecosystems.

• Improving technologies in protected areas, including remote sensing for fire detection.
• Digitalization of forestry data for conservation purposes.
•  Expansion of digital innovations by the Forestry Commission and other players in the forestry sector.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our forests and recognize them as indispensable guardians of our planet’s health and well-being!