May, 22nd is celebrated as the International Day of Biodiversity. The UN general assembly established the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts. Since 2000, the day is being celebrated worldwide.
Biological diversity encompasses a wide range of life forms and ecosystems, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and genetic variations within species. These resources are vital for our civilization, as they provide food, medicine, and maintain ecological balance. However, biodiversity loss threatens global health, increasing the risk of diseases to human beings and other organisms.
The 2022 LPR (Living Planet Report) by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) while focusing on the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss has mentioned that, since 1970, species populations have declined by an average of 69%. It also states that one million plants and animals are threatened with extinction.
The report, in fine, mentions that these crises can be mitigated by increasing conservation and restoration efforts. Therefore, Urgent action is required to reverse the loss that the nature has (or is) facing.
“Be part of the Plan” is the call to action for International Day for Biodiversity (IDB-2024), urging all stakeholders to combat biodiversity loss by supporting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is also known as ‘The Biodiversity Plan’. This plan was adopted at the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of The Parties to The Convention on Biological Diversity, at Montreal, Canada during 7-19 December 2022.
This plan, or the ‘The Biodiversity Plan’ promotes collaboration across all sectors, encouraging governments, indigenous groups, NGOs, businesses, and individuals to contribute to its execution. With everyone playing a role, each can actively contribute to the initiative.
We urge upon you, please get actively involved in the mission to conserve all forms of biodiversity that are available in and around you, and motivate your friends and family to do so, for a sustainable future for the present as well as the upcoming generations.
Remember, we have just one living planet,
Just one,
Only one…
is Professor and Dean, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, E. P. Odum School of Environmental Sciences, Assam University, Silchar (Assam). He can be reached at auseesc@gmail.com)