Forests and their importance

The word "Forest" is derived from the Latin word 'foris' meaning outside the village boundary or away from inhabited land.

Trees and forests took on symbolic divine characteristics, or were seen to represent superlative forces such as courage, endurance or immortality. They were the means of communication between worlds. Some societies made them into magical totems.

Forests can soak up excess rainwater, preventing run-offs and damage from flooding. By the use of shelter belts, forests affect the wind and change its direction and force because friction is stronger over forest cover.

The increased demand as well as the extension of urban settlements undoubtedly leads to unregulated deforestation for adequate infrastructure and housing that require clearing out of either agricultural lands or natural forests.

The Amazon Rainforest, which is the world's largest forest and occupies around 5.5 million square kilometers, is found in South America. It plays a significant role in regulating the climate globally and is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.

Van Mahotsav is celebrated every year in the first week of July. This festival was founded in 1950 to raise awareness among individuals regarding the importance of trees and inspire citizens to plant more of them.

Forests are called lungs of nature because they are source of oxygen in the atmosphere The plants release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. The plants help to provide oxygen to animals for respiration. They also maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That is why forests are called green lungs.