22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity

The United Nations has proclaimed 22^nd May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29^th  December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated as the International Day for Biological Diversity.

In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22^nd May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

The theme for 2013 Water and Biodiversity.

RSPN will be celebrating the International day of biodiversity by organizing an environmental Camp in Phochu in Punakha which is a popular white-bellied heron habitat in the world. RSPN members will be travelling to Punakha on 24th April.

Themes

• 2013 – Water and Biodiversity
• 2012 – Marine Biodiversity
• 2011 – Forest Biodiversity
• 2010 – Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation
• 2009 – Invasive Alien Species
• 2008 – Biodiversity and Agriculture
• 2007 – Biodiversity and Climate Change
• 2006 – Protect Biodiversity in Drylands
• 2005 – Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World
• 2004 – Biodiversity: Food, Water and Health for All
• 2003 – Biodiversity and poverty alleviation – challenges for sustainable development

Source: http://www.cbd.int

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms including ecosystems, plants, animals, their habitats and genes—is fundamental to life on Earth. We need biodiversity for its invaluable ecosystem services, providing oxygen, food, clean water, fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, a stable climate and recreation.

Tragically, today biodiversity is disappearing at 1,000 times the normal rate due to human civilization. Individual species are being obliterated by habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, the spread of pollution and disease, climate change and the over exploitation of resources. And because the human population, which has doubled since 1970, is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, the biodiversity crisis will only get worse as more people consume more resources. (Source: http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu)