“Biodiversity starts in the distant past and it points toward the future.”- Frans Lanting.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated each year on 22 May, a date in our calendar dedicated to raising global awareness about the importance of protecting biological resources and the global biodiversity that shapes our environment-not only the various species of plants, animals and micro-organisms around us, but also the genetic diversity of each of them, as well as the great variety of ecosystems that make up our planet. According to the UN, three-quarters of the Earth’s land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been altered by human activity, and the latest report submitted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), states that more than one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction. Only once we realise that we are part of the solution will we be able to put a stop to the damage that we are causing to nature.
This year the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”, emphasising the action that needs to be undertaken on the ground to implement the plans agreed on paper to go beyond protecting nature and attempting to regenerate what we have lost.
Analysing our relationship with nature, a reality emerges that we cannot ignore: despite all our technological progress, we depend entirely on healthy, varied ecosystems in order to dispose of water, food, medicines, clothing, fuel, refuge and energy. And that’s just a few examples of what it provides. Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilisations. But loss of biodiversity threatens all, including our health. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses – diseases transmitted from animals to humans- while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by coronaviruses.
Nagaland been not different from rest of other countries are losing biodiversity at unprecedented and unseen rate and science has told us there will be consequences. Nature is our frontline defense against climate change. It cleans the air we breathe, the water we drink and soil which support health. It is the basis for our economy, our societies and our existence. If we are to conserve our precious biodiversity and human well-being, we must be more focused on sustainability- that is making sure that our actions don’t endanger the species we depend upon. Several communities from our state, have come up to promote community conserved areas (CCAs), to respond the need for protecting, conserving the bio-diversities. If you are reading this, you are needed as part of the solution. Everyone can play their part in restoring our biodiversity and building a share future for all life.
On this International Day of Biodiversity, think about what you can do to make a difference; changes to your lifestyle or the support you can give to groups or Departments that are preserving biodiversity and ecosystems. I guarantee that if you stand with millions of others, together we will be an irresistible force for change. “We’re part of the solution!”
Research, Demonstration & Training Centre,
(Soil & Water Conservation Departrment) Sechu-Zubza.
