Union Minister urges protection of forests

New Delhi, Mar 21, 2026 : On the occasion of International Day of Forests today, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav urged the citizens to pledge to protect the forests, protecting the life that forests sustain. In a social media post, the Minister said that a forest is not a mere resource to be exploited, but it is life itself to be protected and preserved.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March as the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

On this day, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme of IDF 2026 is Forests and Economies, celebrating the essential roles of forests in driving economic prosperity.