Context:
On March 21st, 2024, International Day of Forests was celebrated at National Zoological Park, New Delhi (Delhi Zoo).
Key Highlights
• Theme for this year is “Forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world”.
• The aim of this event is to raise awareness among visitors about the significance of plants and their role in our lives.
• The event kicked off with a doodle art activity at the Education Centre of the National Zoological Park which encourages visitors to take part.
• Following this, a film highlighting Mission-LiFE was screened a after that visitors joined in a plantation drive.
National Zoological Park Delhi
• In 1952 the Indian Board for Wildlife created a committee to look into creating a zoo for Delhi.
• It is governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is responsible for administering the zoo which consists of a Chairman, ten members, and a Member Secretary.
International Day of Forest
• The origins of the International Day of Forests can be traced to 1971, marking the year when the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations first observed the World Day of Forests.
• The period from 2011 to 2020 was proclaimed as the International Decade of Forests by the United Nations. This initiative aimed to promote the importance of sustainable forest management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests worldwide.
• In 2012, the United Nations designated March 21st as the International Day of Forests (IDF) to celebrate and promote awareness of the significance of forests worldwide.