Coniferous forests of the Garies Biosphere Reserve. — UNESCO
The world celebrates the International Day of Forests every year on March 21 to highlight the role of forests in sustaining the planet’s ecosystems. This year’s theme for Forest Day was “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World.”
This theme focuses on leveraging technological solutions to protect forests. Many innovative ideas can be implemented to ensure healthy and rapid growth of forest cover in countries.
First, geographic mapping allows for accurate measurement of forest cover in specific regions and countries. Such information is essential for countries to plan long-term, set targets, and secure funding to implement projects based on conserving and increasing forest cover.
Using drones equipped with the latest sensors will help identify forest areas that are being illegally cut or destroyed by timber mafia. Blockchain technology will act as a robust and transparent means to protect forests. It will generate digital certificates to monitor timber products from forest to end product. It will help detect illegal logging and ensure the use of legally sourced timber in the production process.
Evidence-based information can help law enforcement agencies take action against the criminals involved and prevent deforestation. It can also provide information on areas with potential for growing new forests and make suggestions for digitizing existing forests.
Secondly, leveraging research and technological advancements can lead to medical discoveries that utilize forest flora and fauna to treat many deadly diseases.According to the United Nations, “25 percent of medicines used in developed countries are plant-based, while in developing countries the figure is as high as 80 percent.”Hence, with the emergence of daily innovations, medical treatments from forest organisms can increase several folds, revolutionizing our healthcare system.
Third, forest fires are occurring more frequently in many countries due to extreme weather caused by climate change. Recent forest fires in Texas, USA, have burned millions of acres of land. Early warning systems can be used to predict extreme weather events. In hot summers, heatwave predictions can alert government departments and emergency response services to prepare for forest fire emergencies, which can help minimize losses and damages.
Fourth, genetic engineering helps in breeding trees that are climate-tolerant, produce more fruits and double profits. This technology helps in growing forests cost-effectively at every stage, starting from sowing seeds and raising seedlings.
Technology can provide information on moisture, water levels, and soil composition to better guide the success rate of forest cultivation in a particular area. Through sensors, tree growth can be monitored. It can also measure the amount of carbon stored in forests and help allocate carbon credits to different countries. Technologies such as drip irrigation address water scarcity and help grow trees in arid regions.
Fifth, Forest Departments can use the mobile app to access training materials and information on the latest ways to conserve forests and update their activities.
Through their smartphones, forest workers become part of a global community that can access data and information on global forest conservation and reforestation projects to learn best practices, and can also learn about and participate in a range of national and international training activities to further their knowledge.
Sixth, sensors can detect wildlife movement and its impact on forest life. Similarly, it can detect the impact of forest activities on wildlife. Such information helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the forest. Based on such information, many steps can be taken to develop strategies and visions for the future.
Forests play a vital role in providing a healthy ecosystem for life on Earth. However, forests are in danger of disappearing, upsetting the balance of life. With the rise of technology race, conservation of forests requires innovative solutions. Use of geo-mapping, sensors, drones and big data can help in increasing forest coverage.
The author is a Public Policy Graduate from the University of Oxford. Tweet/posted by zilehumma_1
