International Day of Forests : Ministry focus on key role of forests in freshwater supply

Proclaimed International Day of Forests, by the United Nations General Assembly, today (March 21) signifies a day of celebrating the value of forests while at the same time raising awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

This year the United Nations collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (UN-REDD), together with the Forest Department of the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry have taken special measures to place emphasis on the key role of forests in the planet’s supply of freshwater.

Forests act as natural water filters, producing cleaner water than can be achieved by any man-made filter system, by trapping water pollutants in the forest litter. When sustainably managed, forests contribute significantly to reducing soil erosion and the risk of landslides and avalanches, which are natural disasters that can disrupt the source and supply of fresh water. Forests serve to protect and rehabilitate areas prone to soil degradation and erosion, especially in upland areas.

Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible fresh water for domestic, agricultural and ecological needs. Watershed management refers to an integrated approach of using natural resources in a given geographical area drained by a watercourse.