Click here to read a Web version of the e-Newsletter
Greetings from RECOFTC!
In February” the UN Forum on Forests concluded the International Year of Forests with a ceremony to honor people who have made special contributions to protect forests – the Forest Heroes Awards. Environmental News Service reports” “A Japanese oyster fisherman” Shigeatsu Hatakeyama” received the award for the Asia region” for planting a forest in the hills of Miyagi” Japan” which helped maintain clean water for his oyster beds.”
People are speaking up more than ever on their rights to forestland” and so are the proponents of people for forests. Commentary in Yale Environment 360 seeks to debunk the myth that local people are the problem in deforestation and forest degradation” arguing that they are” instead” an important part of the solution.
This message resonated throughout this month’s inspiring Bangkok International Forest Film Festival” and is echoed in our photo competition” being launched today to mark World Forest Day on March 21.
Until next month”
Lena Buell
Editor” People and Forests E-News