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![IMG_1626718539038.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQQB7muSL4VPQ6chdv9iuDNJow6cMruGbKFym8ej26NSy/IMG_1626718539038.PNG)
_A beautiful scenery of the savannah forest in Yankari Game Reserve, Bwuchi state, Nigeria_<center><a href="https://w3w.co/commiserate.basis.sleepier" rel="noopener" title="">Location</a></p></center>
Thanks to @ponpase for organising this amazing contest. 

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)


**Introduction**
Forest in my understanding, is a large area of land covered with trees, shrubs, and bushes which are growing wild (natural vegetation) or planted (artificial plantations) for some purposes such as shade, windbreaker, for timber, fuelwood, fodder, medicine.

Forestry is the term used when referring to the study and management of forests and forests resources. It involves the principles of art and science in the establishment, tending, managing and utilization of forests and forests products. 

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)

**Importance of Forest to mankind**
 
Forest is so important to man that it has affected virtually every aspects of our lives. It provides us with:
- Food such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, Bush meats or game
- Fuel wood or firewood for home use by the local community dwellers.
- Medicinal herbs 🌿: people use some herbs from the forests to treat diseases
- Timber: Mature trees are cut from the forest for timber. People often convert timbers to logs or planks which can be used for building, roofing, and furniture making.

![IMG_1626719635608.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQ7YaedYv2r8ZvRoJps6JeaLNh9piX3JgmM48r1T3899Y/IMG_1626719635608.PNG)

![IMG_1626719487623.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQma1KsrSQ7JWLQB7NgWMdTuKmD19akcQrEkPFzVGKS1jgL/IMG_1626719487623.PNG)

- Pulp for tissue and paper making: some certain tree species are suitable for pulp production.
- Sources of raw materials for Industries: tissues and paper industries depend on the pulp gotten from the Forest, construction companies depend on the timber gotten from the forest. Pharmaceutical companies get some herbs from the forest and process them into drugs or medicines 💊
- Foreign exchange: forest products such as timber, pulp and medicinal herbs can be used as a source of foreign exchange when exported to other countries. Other products which are of limited supply is within the country can be exchanged with these forest products. 
- Forest serve as centre for tourists attractions: the beautiful scenery and aesthetic views of the forests often attract people from far and wide e.g. the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state, Nigeria. 
- Home for wild animals: the forest is the natural home for wild animals. It gives them cover or shelter from harsh weather and a hideout from enemies (e.g. hunters, poachers, predators)
- Other functions of the forests include prevention of erosion, addition of nutrients to the soil, reduces atmospheric pollution, etc. 

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)

**Forest Development in my area**
 
People are now aware of the consequences of not managing the forests properly. Global warming and desertification are so obvious that the once carefree individual is now concerned about the contributions of the forests towards providing a conducive and better environment for our survival. This has led the people of my community to enact some laws to prevent unnecessary, unauthorised and Indiscriminate exploitation of the forest and forest resources. 

The management principles employed by the community dwellers under the supervision of the World Bank in collaboration with the Community Service Development Agency (CSDA) are: 
- Selective exploration: here, only selected tree species will be harvested per time based on age of the trees or the purpose which it is being used for. 
- Regeneration: trees may grow from the stumps of harvested trees
- Afforestation: this is the conversion of a bare land into a forest by planting trees on the land where trees were not found previously 
- Taungya system: here, tree crops are planted together with food crops on the same piece of land. This gives the local community farmers the opportunity to contribute towards a better environment while cultivating their food crops. 

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)

**Forest Governance**

The department of forestry governs the forest under the ministry of environment in my state. Inadequate personnel have led to poor supervision and ineffective monitoring of the forests. My community has employed the services of the local vigilante in the absence of forest Guard or Rangers to help in monitoring the activities of law breakers or defaulters. 

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)

**Positive Impact I Get From the Forest**

![IMG_1626718478912.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ5hd2ddbMhEmkkR94Z5C3UGTUDDfQCpXBfns914LZyUr/IMG_1626718478912.PNG)
_During our visit to Yankari Game Reserve. Our vehicle broke down on our way to Wikki Water Spring_


![IMG_20210720_25777.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ2zrauYrndtNnGEQHtYfqXd41wLQEAMBbCRk4quQP6pg/IMG_20210720_25777.jpg)
_I like forest because I studied Forestry and Wildlife Management in the University_

The scenery and the aesthetic beauty were amazing. I felt in touch with nature. 

The wild animals that found shelter in the forest are very charming to behold.

![IMG_1626719361836.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmczQtwVSqxs7CzSUTBd7YBU8NhzdUhuMbyPZTPh74ZDnX/IMG_1626719361836.PNG)

![IMG_1626806023992.PNG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQSnRgV3bvJwQNnPAT3heq8zUaK4NJBz9KnfjirtxuXgq/IMG_1626806023992.PNG)


 I cannot compare the cool atmosphere in the forest with anything. We ate wild fruits from the forest during our visit. The trip was thrillingly memorable. 

**I invite and urge people to plant trees.** 

I would like to spur people to plant trees with the following quotations: 
>“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”  
- Chinese Proverb.


>"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree; you water it and make it survive; you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking." 
- Wangari Maathai


>"He that plants trees, loves others besides himself."
- Thomas Fuller


“Plant 🪴🌱 a tree today, water it tomorrow and watch it grow to be your shade next tomorrow”– @jaspichman125. 

**Criticism and suggestion for the growth and progress of forest governance**

**_Criticism:_** local community dwellers, governments and private sectors are not doing their utmost tree planting campaigns.
**_Suggestions:_** we should decentralize Forest Governance to give private forest property owners and the local communities the autonomy to manage their forests properly. Forest Guards or Ranger or should be employed boost labour force outputs. Forest laws, edicts, byelaws should be enforced.

![JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqhZEvQzPyDx6GYnfkK68Bd9yNLhenYEPYu2s4Lyx1m3/JvFFVmatwWHRfvmtd53nmEJ94xpKydwmbSC5H5svBACH81Kf1wVvvQdLdKzdHiUfyvoqPPi4E3KEKCSrpWUAEQMBFW5Rv4pvN4tPnDagxTvrqax2ESMz9vN2vDhZBZJb7cWQMyE8Pg.jpeg)
**Conclusion**
Forests supports our lives in diverse ways. Let's keep planting trees. 
Let's support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental impacts. 
All pictures  were snapped by me. 
Camera details: IPhone 7 12-megapixel (f/1.8)
Best regards; @jaspichman125</center>
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