UN chief calls for protection of forests, wildlife - el etos ut

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for the protection of forests and forest species, which provide livelihoods for the poor and for indigenous communities.

He made this plea on World Wildlife Day, which falls on March 3. This year's theme is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet."

The planet's forests are home to some 80 percent of all terrestrial wild species. They help regulate the climate and support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, he said.

Some 90 percent of the world's poorest people are dependent in some way on forest resources. This is particularly true for indigenous communities that live in or near forests. About 28 percent of the world's land is managed by indigenous communities, including some of the most intact forests on the planet. Forests provide livelihoods and cultural identity for them.