Forests are more than just collections of trees; they are the lifeblood of our planet, crucial for global food security and water resources. For millions around the world, especially in rural communities, forests are indispensable sources of food, income, and medicine.
From providing wild foods like nuts, mushrooms, honey, and game meat, forests supplement diets with essential vitamins and minerals. They maintain soil fertility, regulate climates, and preserve biodiversity, all of which are fundamental to sustainable agriculture and healthy ecosystems.
Approximately 5 billion people rely on forests and non-timber forest products. These natural resources are not only vital for sustenance but also play a key role in supporting livelihoods and traditional practices.
Forests and Water: A Vital Connection
Forests are integral to freshwater availability. Over 75 percent of the world’s accessible freshwater comes from forested watersheds. By conserving these areas, we ensure clean drinking water, irrigation for crops, and hydroelectric power generation.
China’s Commitment to Afforestation
China has made significant strides in afforestation and ecological restoration. As of 2023, the country’s forest area reached 247 million hectares, with planted forests covering 92.4 million hectares—the largest in the world.
In 2024 alone, China planted 4.45 million hectares of trees, raising forest coverage to over 25 percent and increasing total forest stock volume beyond 20 billion cubic meters. These efforts, supported by policies like the Grain for Green Program, have helped mitigate climate change, reduce soil erosion, and improve biodiversity.
Professor Jia Liming, dean of the School of Forestry at Beijing Forestry University, noted that in 2024, China’s annual forest food production exceeded 200 million tonnes, averaging 140 kilograms per capita. “The annual production of woody oil crops, such as oil-seed camellia and walnut, reached 9.68 million tonnes,” he said. “Woody grains, including chestnut, jujube, persimmon, and pine nut, totaled 14 million tonnes a year. This has significantly eased the pressure on grain and oil supply without occupying arable land.”
Over the past 40 years, initiatives like the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program have established nearly 1.7 million hectares of farmland shelter forests and 7.9 million hectares of windbreak and sand-fixing forests. As a result, grain production in these areas has increased by 15 to 20 percent.
Global Efforts and the Path Forward
International organizations are actively involved in forest conservation. The Food and Agriculture Organization promotes sustainable forest management to maintain ecological and economic benefits. UNESCO’s World Heritage program recognizes over 200 forest sites, covering more than 69 million hectares, which play a vital role in carbon sequestration by absorbing around 190 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
On International Day of Forests 2025, themed “Forests and Foods,” the global community is reminded of the interconnectedness of forest conservation, food security, and water resources. Protecting forests ensures the well-being of people and ecosystems alike.
As guardians of food and water, forests demand our attention and action. Their preservation is not just an environmental concern but a necessity for sustaining life on Earth.
