What is Biodiversity:
Planet earth is rich in various form/variety of life and comprises of approx 8 million of plant and animal species. Considering the sun as an ultimate source of energy on earth, the flow of energy moves from plants to herbivores as primary consumer and then to carnivores as top consumer. That is why the Biodiversity is said to be a complex, interdependent web where each of the living body plays a vital role. In simple words, Biodiversity is the variability among living organism from all sources. It includes terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This can also include diversity within species and between species.
Convention on Biological diversity
In year 1992 “United nation convention on Biological Diversity “was held at Rio de Janerio -Brazil.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
- The conservation of biological diversity
- The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio “Earth Summit”). The first session of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November – 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas.
Steps taken in India for Biodiversity conservation
Respect the Mother earth and so the Environment. India is known for rich cultural heritage with unity of diversity. India is also rich in biological diversity where we respect all sort of natural creation.
In accordance with the United Nation conference on Environment and Development, India signed the Convention on Biological diversity and part of the program to implement the same. This results in the form of a “Biological diversity act, 2002 to regulate access to and use of biological resources.
The scope of the Act extends to “biological resources” occurring in and obtained from India and knowledge associated thereto. This Act also defines “biological resources” as plants, animals and micro-organisations or parts thereof, their genetic material and by-products (excluding value-added products) with actual or potential use or value but not including human genetic material.
World Environment Day
United Nations identify spreading Awareness as a principal vehicle for protection of Environment. Since year 1974 World Environment Day is being celebrated across the world on 5th June to encourage awareness on Environment. Every year United Nation selects a different theme related with environmental issues for encourage awareness. It is being hosted by different countries every year.
When India Hosted “World Environment day”
In India it was hosted in year 2018 under a theme” Beat Plastic Pollution”. There were various steps taken after that. Prime Minister of India “Sri Narendra Modi” appealed the people to avoid using single use plastic. Government is planning to phase out single-use plastics by 2022.
Who is Hosting World environment Day in Year 2020?
Colombia is hosting 2020 World Environment Day in partnership with Germany and it will focus on biodiversity. The theme is extremely relevant because human beings are part of the ecosystem and cannot continue to survive in isolation. Biodiversity is important for the survival of all living things big and small, on land, or in water. We need to understand that while there may be a food chain and ranking of species, every living thing is connected to another living thing, and together it forms a network of diverse life forms on the planet.