The forest is like a loving mother

3 August 2021 Forests in photos

This month we hear from Ismail Abd. Muttalib, a runner up in our 2020 ‘Experience Forests, Experience PEFC’ photo contest.

Ismail shares the story behind his stunning photo ‘The Enchanting Walakiri Mangroves’ and what he has learnt from the forest.

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

I took my photo at Mangrove Forest in Sumba, Indonesia. The people in Sumba believe that the forest is like a loving mother who always protects them and takes care of them, and the people long for its sincere love.

The Mangrove forest ecosystem is a source of life. It gives us the universal consciousness that all living things are connected to one another. So it’s really important for us to always protect each other.

Sometimes we forget that human actions, for example developing tourism, can lead to the destruction of ecosystems. We have to understand that God created us to make the ecosystem balanced, not to destroy it.

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

For me, a good photo has to give some magical sensation and imagination beyond our senses. My photo of a forest ecosystem shows connected living things, that have always been interesting for me.
In 2019, 50% of land in Indonesia was covered by forest. Indonesia is one of the lungs of the Earth. On the other hand, between 2018 and 2019, deforestation in my country increased by 5%. I hope my photo can give inspiration and raise awareness for the importance of preserving and protecting our forests.

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

The objective of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Indonesia Forestry Certification Cooperative (IFCC) is to promote and increase sustainable forest management. I think it’s a very good effort to develop and implement forest preservation.