The United nation proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity to promote a greater understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
The theme of the 2011 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Forest Biodiversity”. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD Secretariat) encourages governments and civil society everywhere to organize activities and events to celebrate this day, raise public awareness, showcase good practices for preserving forest bio diversity
The theme, Forest biodiversity, was chosen to remind the world that forests are more biologically diverse than any other land-based ecosystem. For that reason Conserving and sustainably using our forests protects more than two-thirds of all land-based animal and plant species.
Biodiversity underpins the health and vitality of forests and is the basis for a wide range of ecosystem services necessary for people’s livelihoods and well-being.
Scientists found that rich forest biological resources, used wisely, can generate invaluable economic, social and cultural benefits. Destroying this natural treasure has far-reaching consequences for people, particularly for the many poor people who depend on forests for their livelihoods.
Forests are disappearing partly because they are undervalued, and our market economy fails to recognize ecosystem services provided by intact forests. To stop losing this planet’s living treasure, we must understand and appreciate its full range of values, as well as its importance for human well-being and development (UN, 2011).
The world has missed the 2010 target for biodiversity conservation, with potentially grave consequences.
Key habitats for threatened species are not being adequately protected. The number of species facing extinction is growing by the day, especially in developing countries
Rwanda among other countries in the world always strives for the sustainability of environment by increasing the number of trees that are planted every year to ensure the growth of forests where biological spaces will not be threatened by human activities
Why do Rwandans need to protect our biological diversity?
On 22 May 2011, Rwanda, as part of the global community, celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity. The United Nations proclaimed May 22 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 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 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.
This year 2011 is the International Year of Forests and forest biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day of Biodiversity (IDB).
Designation of IDB 2011 on the theme of forests provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and everyone interested in forests, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.
Researchers discovered that the world cannot survive if the continued loss of forest biodiversity is seen as an issue separate from the core concerns of society. Protecting forests in Rwanda will help in tackling poverty, improving the health, prosperity and security of present and future generations. Each of those objectives will be greatly strengthened if we as Rwandans finally give forest biodiversity the priority it deserves. We need to ensure the protection of biological spaces (animals, plants and environments), because all of these spaces work together. they depend on each other in so many ways for instance by Creating a green, blue healthy world that you, us, everyone depends on for food, fuel, medicine and other essentials that we simply cannot live without.
Environmentalists look at bio diversity issues from the perspective of the people for whom the ecosphere matters in a direct way. Rural duelers and urban duelers must join hand to ensure the forest biodiversity sustainability .
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| One of the major threats of forest diversity is deforestation |
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