“With common efforts, we can leaver a greener Moldova and a more prosperous environment to the future generations. Our life, health and comfort depend much more on forests than we imagined. When we drink a glass of water, build houses, read books to children, have a happy dinner with the family, we do not always make the connection between these small joys and forests,” President Maia Sandu said in a message addressed to the citizens on the International Day of Forests, IPN reports.
The official noted that the forests prevent soil erosion and surface water drying and reduce carbon emissions. The more often droughts affect agriculture and the economy and show how vulnerable the people are to climate change that is caused also by the absence of forests.
“Today, on the International Day of Forests, I want to remind of the national afforestation program by which we must stop these negative phenomena. The restoration of woodlands will increase the volume of water in rivers, ponds and wells, will boost soil fertility and will restore flora and fauna in Moldova. The national afforestation program will help us to become carbon neutral, while the agricultural sector will enjoy many benefits,” stated Maia Sandu.
She welcomed the openness of the local public authorities that allocated land for afforestation up to now and encouraged other mayor’s offices to join in this initiative. “The forestry authority managed to identify 22,677 ha on which to plant forests and more than half of these are lots of the local public authorities”.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The theme for 2023 is “Forests and health”.
