As per the last global assessment data about 60 per cent of ecological services are degrading due to impact of human activities on the biodiversity. Since developing countries contain the bulk of global biodiversity, it is vital to enhance the capacity building in such countries, said the founding chairman of UN- Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
He was addressing the media here on the eve of the start of a five-day UN-IPBES capacity building forum meeting being organised in Dehradun by the Wildlife Institute of India from Monday.
Hamid described the UN-IPBES as the best example of science and diplomacy working in coordination for a common aim.
He said, “We use science to reach out to policy makers to guide their decisions for saving biodiversity and ecological services. As per data released in 2005, 60 per cent of global ecological services like food, fibre, clean air and water are degrading at an unprecedented rate. Developing countries are richer in biodiversity but barring India, are lacking in scientific capability to ensure the needful in this sphere. The workshop being held in Dehradun is the first IPBES meeting being held outside Bonn, Germany where its headquarter is located,” he said.
Referring to India’s standing in biodiversity conservation, Hamid said that India had an exemplary record in biodiversity conservation and is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world.
Co-chair and head of capacity building, Ivar Baste said that the loss of local biodiversity is a global concern. The capacity building workshop in Dehradun will focus on how best to support capacity building in India.
He said, “We will focus on measures needed to strengthen the ability of Indians to participate in IPBES activities related to biodiversity and ecological services.”
Special secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Hem Pande said that there are 24 ecological services with most of them being affected negatively by human actions.
He said, “We know that there are about 96,000 animal species and 45,000 plant species in India. Though India comprises 2.5 per cent of the global area, it contains 8 per cent of the world’s biodiversity along with one-fifth of both the human and cattle population of the world. India is a laboratory for the world to study since the country has such rich biodiversity despite rising population pressure and limited area.”
WII director Dr Vinod Mathur said that about 100 experts from 50 nations are expected to participate in the workshop in Dehradun.
“The first meeting of the IPBES capacity building forum is taking place in Dehradun. This meet will explore opportunities for cooperation on aligned investments in capacity building needs, further partnerships for piloting and delivering the IPBES capacity building programme and also plan further action,” said Mathur.