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Asia and Pacific regions should cooperate to protect forests
Like water, our forests recognize no boundaries, but they are equally vulnerable and play such an important part in our region’s commonly shared ecosystem.
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Global treasure: Visitors take pictures on the Mangrove Tower with Kuala Langsa mangrove forest in the background in Aceh on Feb. 25. The 45-meter-tall tower is the new landmark in the town, which is expected to become a magnet for tourism as well as conservation and research activities on the 8,000-hectare forest. (Antara/Khalis Surry)
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nited we stand, divided we fall – it is an old cliché, but when talking about access to fresh water in this Asia and Pacific region, it is worth reminding ourselves how imperative it is to work together, within countries and across borders, to share and protect this precious resource.
Like water, our forests recognize no boundaries, but they are equally vulnerable and play such an important part in our region’s commonly shared ecosystem. They too need a united front to protect and restore our forests for the common good.
Taken together, water and forests are two of Mother Nature’s children.
The world and Asia-Pacific region observe two special days, back-to-back – International Day of Forests on March 21 and World Water Day on March 22.
While each day has its own theme, Forests and Innovation and Water for Peace, their natural bond is evident and essential. The latter reminds us that water can be a tool for peace, but an unfair advantage of one country or community, or lack of access to water, can spark and intensify conflict and hostility. Likewise, neglect and over-exploitation of forests can lead to land disputes that can spill across borders and impact communities, particularly those of indigenous peoples in our region.
This is why countries in Asia and the Pacific need to work together to protect and enhance our common forest and water resources for this generation and for those still to come.
From the perspective of forests and water’s link to agrifood systems in Asia and the Pacific, the systems that provide us with the nutrition we need each day to survive and thrive, the stakes are high. In this region, water resources form the basis of agrarian prosperity and economic development. The vast majority of aquaculture produced in the world comes from this region, as just one example.
