Abstract

The United Nation’s millennium development goals (MDGs) are common objectives that provide a framework to meet the basic needs and rights of millions of people in the developing world. Eight goals with 18 targets and over 40 indicators will help to monitor and meet up with these goals. A target date of 2015 had been set for the world leaders to work towards. Forest management and conservation is central to the achievement of most of these goals. Forest reserves provide food and income, forest also play critical roles in sustaining the health of the environment by mitigating climate change, conserving biological diversity, maintaining clean and reliable water resources, controlling erosion, protecting agricultural soils, sustaining and changing land productivity, protecting coastal and marine resources, providing low cost and renewable energy, and enhancing the urban environment. The paper pointed out the need for forest development to be included in national budget in order to support the achievement of the MDGs. The need to extend the knowledge of forest reserves management and involve energy stakeholders in forest resources management were emphasized.

Key words: Contribution, forests, achievement, millennium development goals, poverty, hunger, gender equality and women, material health.