Forests are the lungs of the Earth, a place for plants to grow, a source of oxygen

6 March 2023 Forests in photos

This March, our photo of the month is Sindoro Mountain, taken by Mujiono Dewa Kelana in Indonesia.

The stunning photo was among the finalists of our 2022 PEFC Photo Contest. In our interview, the photographer shared how it came about and what the forest means for him.

How do you feel about forests, both professionally and personally?

Forests are the lungs of the Earth, a place for plants to grow, a source of oxygen. They can reduce CO2 levels, and are a habitat for various animals.

How did the forest inspire you to take your winning photo?

My photo shows a local from a village close to Mount Sindoro in Indonesia, walking in the sunlight between lush trees. Through photos, I hope to be able to make people realise the importance of preserving nature and forests.

What do you think about the work that an organization such as PEFC does to care for forests?

PEFC marks a new era of development of sustainable forest certification systems.