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- Ελληνικά
It is a great pleasure to be with you today, at the Athalassa Environmental Information and Education Centre, to celebrate International Forest Day. Every year on 21 March, United Nations member countries honour forests with various events that encourage people of all ages to get closer to the forest and learn about its value, both for the environment and biodiversity and for human health.
I would like to congratulate the Forestry Department for the initiative and for organizing today's event, which is part of the above mentioned framework and which aims to further raise awareness about forests and their sustainable management.
Today we turn our attention to the need for innovation in the management and protection of our forests. This year's International Forest Day theme, "Forests and Innovation: new solutions for a better world", set by the World Food Organization, highlights the importance of integrating technology and innovation in the conservation and sustainable management of our forests. At the same time, this year's motto "New Solutions for a Better World" links forests and their protection with new technologies, which are used to monitor and analyse information on forests and the environment with the ultimate goal of taking appropriate measures both to reduce forest degradation and destruction and to reduce environmental pollution.
The challenge of deforestation cannot be met by traditional methods. Some 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year, while at the same time, fires destroy additional areas. This makes the need for innovation more urgent than ever. The use of new technologies, such as remote sensing and drones, allows for more accurate monitoring and management of our forests, while paving the way for the development of sustainable forest products.
Innovation does not stop here. The development of new materials from forests, namely wood and wood products, as sustainable substitutes for plastic, such as construction materials, textiles and everyday objects, is at the heart of research for sustainable solutions and is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable future.
Forest ecosystems are the backbone of our natural environment, contributing to the environmental, social, cultural and economic development of a society.
Forest ecosystems are the backbone of our natural environment, contributing to the environmental, social, cultural and economic development of a society. They are a source of energy and health, providing clean water and sequestering carbon dioxide, thus helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. At the same time, by providing shelter for 80% of plant and animal organisms, they help to maintain biodiversity.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment we place the protection of biodiversity, the conservation of our natural environment and the protection of our forests, especially from fires, at the top of our priorities.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment we place the protection of biodiversity, the conservation of our natural environment and the protection of our forests, especially from fires, at the top of our priorities. To this end, in coordination with all stakeholders, we are implementing targeted measures to prevent and respond to fires and other extreme weather events. Besides, strengthening the protection of forests from fires and their sustainable management is a top priority of President Nicos Christodoulides' governance programme.
It is important to remember that innovation is not only about developing new technologies, but also about discovering new ways of thinking and cooperation, as well as new approaches to policy development. At a recent coordination meeting at the Presidential Palace, chaired by the President of the Republic, it was decided to implement further measures concerning fire prevention and response, as well as operational preparedness for civil protection. Among them are measures such as the submission of a plan and proposal by the Ministry of Defence for the gradual subordination of the forest firefighting aviation unit to the National Guard and the reopening of the forestry college from 1/1/2025. In addition, in the framework of the implementation of the second phase of the holistic civil protection system, it was decided to install additional sensors for early detection of fires, as well as the gradual acquisition by the state of ten fire-fighting aircraft within the next five years. Also, at the end of March the amendment bills concerning the tightening of penalties will be completed and submitted to the Legal Service, while the provincial administrations will carry out wild grass clearance by the end of May. Finally, a proposal will be submitted by the Ministry of Interior for the utilization, training and insurance of volunteers.
At the same time, as a Ministry, our primary concern is to upgrade the Forestry Department, maintain it at a high level of operational readiness to respond to forest fires, and strengthen it in terms of infrastructure, new technologies and human resources, as set out in the governance plan. In this context, the Forestry Department is continuously reinforced with equipment and innovative technologies through national resources and through the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Phase 1 of Technology Introduction has already been implemented, which included drones and electromagnetic means of fire detection and forest surveillance. Through national funds and through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, dozens of personnel carriers, fire fighting vehicles, agricultural tractors, crushers, earth movers, wheeled excavators, tankers, trucks have been received, and the process for the purchase of volatile fire fighting equipment is underway.
In closing, allow me to warmly congratulate and thank the Deputy Director Mr. Iezekiel and all the staff of the Forestry Department for their professionalism, dedication and constant effort for the rational management and protection of our unique natural wealth, our forests. Your contribution to the conservation of our forests is commendable and invaluable.
Forests, the green lungs of our planet and our country, are a priceless gift of nature, providing shelter, food and oxygen, while regulating the climate and protecting biodiversity. International Forest Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their value, but the protection and preservation of forests should not be limited to this day alone. It is an ongoing obligation and responsibility that applies every day of the year. Protecting forests on a daily basis means actively participating in the conservation and development of sustainable practices that respect the environment and promote the coexistence of man and nature. Innovation and technology offer us new tools and opportunities to protect and preserve our forests for future generations, to address the challenges posed by climate change and to ensure that our forests continue to be a source of life, prosperity and hope for the future.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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