A tree speaks...:

Why you should protect forests

My dear friends,

Today I decided to write to you to make you aware of the value of my kind, the trees.We play a very important role in the existence of this planet.We are very valuable to the whole of mankind and even to animals.

Even though man is not intelligent enough to understand the real value of trees and plants, we should always keep in mind one important fact that the world would not be a suitable place for the humans to live in if not for us.

It is we who provide them with everything they need to live; the very air that they breathe, the food they eat and even some of the medicines they use come from us.

So, my dear tree and plant friends... Do understand your great value. Humans and animals survive because of us.We have made the world a pleasant place for them to live in.The vast forests, some of which the humans label as World Heritage sites, are made by us.

The great forests like the Amazon exist becasue of you, my tree and plant friends.If they,the humans destroy us the world will become a barren place . That means they will be not just cutting down trees, but they will be digging their own graves.

Most people have still not understood the importance of trees in particular and forests in general.

That is why they continue to destroy us. If they carry on this way soon they will all have to suffer.The people cut us down to make the world more beautiful. However, they have not really done so . It is due to their ignorance that they cut down trees to develop the world by constructing huge concrete buildings,towers and roads.

You trees must try to understand them and be aware that their actions have only led to the creation of deserts such as the Sahara and Kalahari. Today the deserts are growing and adding to the number of deserts that already exist.It is due to the carelessness of humans that even animals and we in the plant kingdom have to suffer.

So, I think it is our duty and responsibility to make the people aware of the urgent need to protect the forests of the world. If the humans do not want to listen and take action, then we must act to protect at least the innocent animals.

We must address them and explain to them that they have a right to exist in these forests and that they must stand up for their rights.The world does not belong only to humans. Therefore,the animals must try to stop the humans from destroying forests.

My dear plant and tree friends out there.The time has now come to open our eyes and minds to the danger we as well as our animal friends are facing. We have to stand up for our rights and somehow make the people stop destroying us.

Let us stop the human race from cutting down trees, the lifeblood of Mother Nature!Maybe World Environment Day which is on June 5 will be an ideal day to do so.

H.R.T.Indrahenaka,

Grade 8, (English Medium),

Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya,

Kegalle.