World Environment Day Special: Can Forests Last Forever?

The story of the sustainably managed forests in B.C. Canada   We need trees for a variety of reasons. Not only do they absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale, but also the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that human activities emit. As those gases enter the atmosphere, global warming increases, a trend scientists refer to as climate change. As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate change, preserve wildlife and support humans, trees hold a major part of the answer. Forests globally are depreciating at an alarming rate. Human-driven and natural loss of trees—deforestation—affects wildlife, ecosystems, weather patterns, and even the climate. Canada has over 10% of the world’s forest cover. British Columbia (B.C.) in Canada is recognized as a global leader in sustainable forest management, meeting the environmental, social and economic needs of current and future generations. Canada has planted more than 7.5 billion seedlings so far as a part of its reforestation program. On an average, roughly 200 million tree seedlings are planted annually on public forest land in B.C alone. About 95% of B.C.’s forests are publicly owned and priorities for the use of these lands are developed through community-based consultation and strategic planning that establishes land use direction and objectives. B.C.’s Chief Forester is required by law, at least every 10 years, to determine how much wood can be harvested from each of the province’s 70 management units (timber supply areas and tree farm licenses) through the province’s timber supply review. This allowable annual cut determination is independent and based on detailed technical analysis, public comment and consideration of forest resource values such as wildlife and fish habitat, soils, water and recreational opportunities. B.C.’s sustainably managed forests are certified to one of the two independent, non-profit global programs, which endorse forest certification programs developed nationally and regionally in countries around the world: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Only 10% of the world’s forests are certified and Canada has 37% of the world’s forest certification. Canada has 170 million hectares certified to at least one of the two internationally recognized forest certification programs: PEFC and FSC. The Canadian wood species sustainably sourced from B.C., Canada are now increasingly available across India and are becoming a preferred choice of several new-age manufacturers equally committed towards environment-friendly ways of producing high-quality products. Its 5 species like Western hemlock, Spruce-pine-fir, Yellow cedar, Western red cedar and Douglas fir are being highly demanded for various applications. Canadian Wood in India has been consistently working to create awareness about B.C. wood products through seminars, exhibitions, networking events and media channels. Its team of wood experts assists leading manufacturers, builders/developers, architects and interior designers in identifying the right species and appropriate grades of Canadian wood for their projects. www.canadianwood.in   Bed made with Canadian western hemlock in Jaipur.   Beautifully designed furniture with hand-painted ethnic patterns made with Canadian western hemlock.