World Rainforest Day is being observed across the globe on Monday to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and restoring the world’s rainforests.

The theme for this year’s observance is “The Forest Within You”, highlighting the deep connection between human wellbeing and healthy forest ecosystems.

Observed annually on June 22, World Rainforest Day aims to draw attention to the vital role rainforests play in sustaining life on Earth. Although they cover less than 10 per cent of the planet’s surface, rainforests are home to more than half of all known plant and animal species and are essential for regulating the global climate.

The day comes amid growing concerns over climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation, serving as a reminder of the critical role rainforests play in maintaining environmental balance. These ecosystems influence air quality, water cycles and the overall stability of the planet.

World Rainforest Day was established in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, a non-profit organisation dedicated to rainforest conservation. The initiative seeks to highlight the threats facing tropical forests and the communities that depend on them.

According to the World Resources Institute, millions of hectares of tropical primary rainforest have been lost in recent years due to agriculture, logging, mining and infrastructure expansion. Environmental experts warn that many of these ancient forests, which have existed for centuries, cannot be restored within a human lifetime once destroyed.