VICTORIA, Seychelles — Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert has called on all to take bold steps to safeguard forests, in a message on the occasion of the International Day of Forests, celebrated on March 21. World Forestry Day serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role forests play in sustaining the planet, with this year’s theme, ‘Forests and Food’, highlighting the indispensable contributions of forests to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and ecological balance.
Minister Joubert said forests are vital to the health of the planet and all living beings, acting as the Earth’s lungs by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, thereby combating climate change. They provide habitat for countless species, regulate water cycles, prevent soil erosion, and supply essential resources such as timber, medicine, and food, which sustain millions of livelihoods worldwide. Protecting and preserving forests is not only an environmental imperative but also a necessity for the survival and well-being of future generations.
The minister noted that ensuring the survival and thriving of forests is a fundamental priority for the government in the Forestry Sector and a key strategic objective of the department of Environment for 2025 and beyond. To achieve this, the department has aligned its efforts with the newly approved Sustainable Forest Management Policy 2025, which aims to manage and protect all forests and woodlands within Seychelles as national heritage and renewable resources. Legal frameworks such as the existing Breadfruit and Other Trees Act will be revised in 2025 to strengthen the protection of fruit trees. Several tree-planting activities will be organised this year, with a focus on planting fruit and breadfruit trees.
