Forests Are Indispensable, Lets Protect Them

[Independent (Kampala)] Since time immemorial, forests have been a vital pillar for human sustenance. Covering about 32% of the Earth's land surface, or about 4.14 billion hectares, forests provide critical ecosystem services, including food, medicine, fresh water, air purification, and climate regulation, among others. These ecosystems are home to about 80% of global terrestrial biodiversity, including nearly two-thirds of all bird species. Further, 1.6 billion people around the world rely on forests for livelihoods. According