FOREST is part of human lives and it is our responsibility to manage our forest.

This was the message the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research put across when marking the International Forests Day yesterday.

In his key note address, Mr Vaeno Vigulu said forests have impacted on human livelihoods with its resources contributing to human existence.

He said forest resources is known for generating energy for lighting, cooking, heating, building house, shield from storm, climate change, generate oxygen and also used for commercial purposes – an important service humans cannot live without.

Mr Vigulu adds that forests provide different energy that mankind have enjoyed and will continue to benefit from.

“One can testify of the wonderful uses she/he benefited from the forest, from commercial values of the timber to ecosystem services the forest provides in maintaining the cleanliness of water resources that we depend on in our lives.

“Forestry also benefits the environment by stabilising soil, lifting water quality, storing carbon and supporting biodiversity.

“Not to mention that most of our homes and much of our furniture are constructed from trees, or products derived from trees. But the benefits of forestry extend further still,” he explained.

Mr Vigulu says that wood, which is product from forest, provides the world with more energy than solar, hydroelectric and wind power with an estimate of 50 percent of global wood production is used as energy for cooking, heating and electricity benefiting more than 2.4 billion people.

He said forest energy accounts for roughly 40 percent of current global renewable supply that continues to play an important role in both developing and industrialised countries.

Mr Vigulu said more than 883 million people in developing countries find employment in the wood sector on either full-time or part-time basis.

He stressed that modernisation of wood energy sector can help revitalise rural economies and stimulate enterprise development.

Mr Vigulu also said that wood energy is a source and measure in mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development.

“Increased areas of sustainably household and community woodlots and the use of clean and efficient wood stoves can give millions more people in developing countries access to cheap, reliable and renewable energy,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Vigulu said greater investment in wood energy production and advanced wood fuels can provide revenue to finance better forest management to grow more trees as well as providing more employment opportunities.

He adds that greater investment in technological innovation and in sustainably managed forest is the key to increase forests’ role as a major source of renewable energy.

On the same note Mr Vigulu reiterated that every Solomon Islanders must take responsibility to manage, promote and sustain the country’s forest.

The United Nation General Assembly proclaimed March 21 to commemorate and promote the importance of Forest and Solomon Islands is a Party to the convention.

This year’s theme is “Forest and Energy” aims to increase awareness of the ways in which sustainably managed forest are key to the world’s renewable energy equation.

Staffs of the Ministry of Forestry and Research along with other government ministries and NGOs took time to mark the International Forest Day.

Celebration of the important started with a parade from Honiara City Council to Town Ground where official opening and also display of information was made.