International Day for Biological Diversity(IDB) celebrated to promote biodiversity issues around the world on 22ND MAY every year. From its creation by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993 until 2000, it was held on December 29 to celebrate the day the Convention on Biological Diversity went into effect. On December 20, 2000, the date was shifted to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on May 22, 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, and partly to avoid the many other holidays that occur in late December.
Convention on Biological Diversity, also called Biodiversity Treaty, international treaty designed to promote the conservation of biodiversity and to ensure the sustainable use and equitable sharing of genetic resources. Work on the treaty concluded in Nairobi in May 1992 with the adoption of the Nairobi Final Act by the Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The convention was opened for signatures at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, or Earth Summit, in June 1992 and entered into force in December of that year. The parties to the convention include some 190 countries (though not the United States) and the European Union.
The convention calls for the conservation of genetic resources by preserving sensitive ecosystems, rehabilitating degraded ecosystems, and enacting legislation that protects endangered plant and animal species. Additionally, the treaty requests financial assistance for developing countries so that they can afford programs designed to conserve their biological resources. The Conference of Parties, the governing body of the convention, has established thematic programs that set goals and strategies for conserving genetic resources in each of several major types of ecosystems: marine and coastal areas, inland waterways, forests, mountain areas, agricultural areas, and dry and sub humid lands.
In the year 2010, in the wake of significant biodiversity loss, the decade of 2011-2020 was declared the Decade on Biodiversity. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011-2020 the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (Resolution 65/161). The UN Decade on Biodiversity serves to support and promote implementation of the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, with the goal of significantly reducing biodiversity loss.
Every year there is a different theme around which all programmes pertaining to biodiversity revolve.
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
2002 – Dedicated to forest biodiversity
This year the theme revolves around water.
Water is essential for life.
No living being on planet Earth can survive without it.
It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment.
Video message from MISIA screened at the global launch of United Nations Decade on Biodiversity in Kanazawa (2011).The theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. Water and Biodiversity is the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in 2013. Designation of IDB 2013 on the theme of water provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the public at large the opportunity to raise awareness about this vital issue, and to ‘increase positive action‘.
The Decade coincides with and supports the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting held in Nagoya, Japan.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat encourages all parties to the Convention and all organizations that deal in some way with the issue to organize activities and events to celebrate the IDB and to take advantage of it to raise public awareness and showcase their work on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity.
2013 International Day for Biodiversity Celebrations around the world.
In INDIA, the Ministry of Environment & Forests, in collaboration with WWF-India and Wetlands International, organizes the national celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The event is presided by Dr. V. Rajagopalan, Secretary (Environment & Forests)/Vice Minister, Government of India.In addition to this event at the national level, several State Biodiversity Boards at the federal State level (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh etc.), and various organizations (e.g., Arid Forest Research Institute) will also be present at the celebration.
Having hosted the Eleventh Conference of Parties (CoP-11) to the CBD in Hyderabad in October 2012, India is presently the President of CoP.
Dr V. Rajagopalan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, India chairing the Valedictory Session of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2013.
The session started with the opening remarks of Dr Rajagopalan. He focused on the importance of conservation of forests as exploitation of natural resources leads to ecological imbalance.
A planet of 7 billion people, a number that is growing every minute, is likely to face increased conflicts over scarce resources. So unless we begin to use our resources efficiently, we are likely to reach tipping points that will not only harm our own well-being, but also that of our future generations. The decisions we make today will define our tomorrow.
It is in this context that DSDS 2013 deliberated upon ‘The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development‘. For more information, visit HERE.
As part of the celebrations, Dr V. Rajagopalan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests inaugurated a function organised by the Ministry of Environment & Forests in collaboration with Wetlands International – South Asia and WWF-India here today . On the occasion , the Ministry released a “Water is Life” poster, designed by Centre for Environment Education, Ahmadabad, a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, depicting how all life forms including human beings are interconnected by, and through, water. The poster can be utilized for a wide range of activities by students and teachers, for education and awareness purposes. The poster is presented in 16 major official languages of the country and will be distributed countrywide. A soft copy of the poster will also be available on a weblink soon, for download and local printing. CEE is working out a scheme where the best entries/activities done by children around this poster can be evaluated and awarded.
During the event the following book, newsletter and DVDs were also released:
• A book entitled ‘Mangroves of India – Their Biology and Uses’: – This book is published by Zoological Survey of India containing 56 papers representing the state of the art science and management information on mangroves of the India.
• A DVD by the Botanical Survey of India: The digitizing all its publications under the Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India, to date. All results of exploratory and scientific activities of BSI and information relating to floristic and utilitarian aspects of Indian botany are now readily accessible in this digital archive.
• Digital Edition of Checklist on Blue Green Algae of the India: The BSI has been engaged on research on Cyanoprokaryotes, commonly known as blue-green algae which are primitive but important group of micro-organisms. The BSI has prepared a checklist of 1,232 taxa including 939 species, 207 varieties and 86 forms. This is being released in the form of CD.
• A DVD: Digital Archives: Zoological Survey of India containing Zoological Survey of India’s past research spanning 98 years, including 111 volumes of records, 31 memoirs and 335 occasional papers into a searchable digital database, accessible on a CD. This is also being placed on the website of the Zoological Survey of India and Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• Sarovar Newsletter: Wetlands International-South Asia has devoted its second issue of Newsletter “Sarovar” on the theme water and wetland management, presenting important perspectives on the way managers of water and wetland resources can benefit by cooperative action.
During the day long event , an Expert Consultation Meeting on Water and Biodiversity, between policy-makers, decision-makers, research institutions, NGOs etc. related to water and biodiversity conservation and management sectors will also be organised. The Consultation aims to encourage a participatory approach, by involving not only various governmental agencies but also the users and other stakeholders, in an effective and decisive manner, in various aspects of planning, design, development and management of the water resources schemes. One of the components of the Consultation will be to discuss the necessary legal and institutional changes that are required to be made at various levels supporting mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation within water resources planning and decision making.
As CoP Presidency India had launched the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train, which received over 2.3 million visitors on its journey covering over 50 stations across India, and played a key role in creating awareness about biodiversity in the country. After the resounding success of SEBS in 2012, the iconic train has been flagged off for its 2013 run on 9th April 2013. It is scheduled to cover 62 locations during its journey till 28th October 2013. The International Day for Biological Diversity was also celebrated aboard the SEBS train which is presently stationed at Bhagalpur in the eastern part of the country. The state-of-the-art exhibition aboard SEBS is making significant contributions towards achieving Aichi target 1 during the UN Decade on Biodiversity by creating widespread awareness on biodiversity. Source
INDIA AND THE BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2002
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of all life on earth. India is one of the 12-mega biodiversity countries of the world. With only 2.5% of the land area, India already accounts for 7.8% of the recorded species of the world. India is equally rich in traditional and indigenous knowledge, both coded and informal.
India is a Party of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). Recognizing the sovereign rights of States to use their own biological resources, the Convention expects the Parties to facilitate access to genetic resources by other Parties for environmentally sound purposes subject top national legislation and on mutually agreed upon terms (Article 3 and 15 of CBD). Article 8(j) of the Convention of Biological Diversity recognizes contributions of local and indigenous communities to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological diversity through traditional knowledge, practices and innovations and provides for equitable sharing of benefits with such people arising from the utilization of their knowledge, practices and innovations.
Biodiversity is a multi-disciplinary subject involving diverse activities and actions. The stakeholders in biological diversity include the Central Government, State Government, institutions of local self-governmental organizations, industry, etc. One of the major challenges before India lies in adopting an instrument, which helps realize the objectives of equitable sharing of benefits enshrined in the Convention on Biological Diversity.
After an extensive and intensive consultation process involving the stakeholders, the Central Government has brought Biological Diversity Act 2002, with the following salient features:- i. to regulate access to biological resources of the country with the purpose of securing equitable share in benefits arising out of the use of biological resources; and associated knowledge relating to biological resources; ii. to conserve and sustainable use biological diversity; iii. to respect and protect knowledge of local communities related to biodiversity; iv. to secure sharing of benefits with local people as conserver of biological resources and holders of knowledge and information relating to the use of biological resources; v. conservation and development of areas of important from the standpoint of biological diversity by declaring them as biological diversity heritage sites; vi. protection and rehabilitation for threatened species; vii. involvement of institutions of state government in the broad scheme of the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act through constitution of committees.
CELEBRATIONS by the UTTAR PRADESH State Biodiversity Board on World Biodiversity day!
Organization of Biodiversity Festival from 16th May- 21st May, 2013
Conference on “WATER & BIODIVERSITY” on 22nd May, 2013 at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow.
“Photo exhibition” on Water and Biodiversity scenes from Uttar Pradesh on 22nd May, 2013 at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow.
Photography contest for the public for pictures from the state of Uttar Pradesh on water and biodiversity.Celebration by Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur
The Arid Forest Research Institute celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity 2013 by raising awareness on biodiversity. The Institute is organizing a small lecture, a plantation of few seedlings and plans to organize a painting competition for children on the theme of Water and Biodiversity. More details will follow.
Manipur Biodiversity Board
The Manipur Biodiversity Board would celebrate the International Biodiversity Day on May 22 at the State level and at BMC level with the main function to be held at Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroishemba.
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) HYPERLINK “http://www.nbagr.res.in/”, HYPERLINK “http://www.nbagr.res.in/”Karnal
The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity 2013 at Pathankot in Punjab amongst the GOJRI Buffalo pastoralists.
2013 International Day for Biodiversity Celebrations around the world
Your flag will appear here when we receive information about your country’s celebrations. Events coordinated by International Organisations are listed at the bottom of the page. Write to us. You can also organize an activity yourself in your community, here are some ideas. Every person can make a difference!
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Thanks to Meetika Srivastava
Celebrating World Biodiversity Day, 22 May globally!
May 22, 2013 by Team Celebration
Filed Under: AFRICA, AMERICAN [U.S.A.], ASIA, CANADIAN, CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AMERICA, EDUCATION, EURASIA, EUROPE, FEATURED, FEATURED EVENTS, FORMER SOVIET UNION, Government Speaks to our Women, INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO, MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, Uncategorized, Videos, WORLD EVENTS, YOUTH of ACTION™ Tagged With: (IDB), 2003 - Biodiversity and poverty alleviation, 2004 - Biodiversity: Food, 2006 - Protect Biodiversity in Drylands, 2007 - Biodiversity and Climate Change, 2008 - Biodiversity and Agriculture, 2009 - Invasive Alien Species, 2010 - Biodiversity, 2011 - Forest Biodiversity, 2012 - Marine Biodiversity, 2013 - Water and Biodiversity, A Celebration of Women, agricultural areas, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and dry and sub humid lands, challenges for sustainable development 2002, Decade on Biodiversity, Dedicated to forest biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation, Dr V. Rajagopalan, forests, inland waterways, International Day for Biological Diversity, marine and coastal areas, Ministry of Environment & Forests, mountain areas, Secretary, Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, Water and Health for All
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