(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: Biodiversity Conservation During A Global Crisis

Topic: Biodiversity Conservation During A Global Crisis

Guest:

Vivek Saxena, (Country Representative, International Union for Nature Conservation - IUCN)
Dr. Prodipto Ghosh, (Distinguished Fellow, TERI & Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change)

Topic Description:

22nd of May is observed as the International Day for Biological Diversity – a day marked in the global calendar to raise and create awareness about biodiversity and its issues. What is biodiversity? It encompasses the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. In short, it is the foundation of ecosystem services of which human beings are a small part, along with the variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms. For almost every aspect of our lives, we depend on biodiversity. However, despite it being critical to our survival, this ecosystem has come under severe stress over the last few decades – largely due to human activity. According to WWF’s Living Planet Report, Biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. The report released last year states that the numbers of mammals, birds, fish, plants and insects have declined by an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. The State of the World’s Plants and Fungi in 2020 assessment says, Two-fifths of the world’s plants are at risk of extinction. To convey to people the urgent need to protect nature, restore ecosystems and establish a balance in our relationship with the planet, the theme of Biodiversity Day this year is - We’re part of the solution. How can we be part of the solution? What role can we play in the management and restoration of ecosystem services? What are the challenges and what is the need of the hour?