Degradation of biodiversity matter of concern: Expert

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 18

Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, founder chairman of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Eco System Services (IPBES), has expressed concern at the speedy degradation of biodiversity and eco system services across the globe.

Dr Hamid, who was addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, is here to attend the first IPBES capacity building workshop, beginning at Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, tomorrow.

He said that nearly 60 per cent of the eco system services that provided food and water to people were degrading speedily, which was a matter of concern worldwide.

He, however, appreciated India’s contribution towards biodiversity conservation. It was the sole country that had come up with an Act for biodiversity conservation, he claimed.

Hem Pande, Special Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said it was a matter of honour that the IPBES capacity building workshop was being held in Dehradun. It is for the first time that the workshop is being held outside Bonn, the headquarters of IPBES.

Dr Vinod Mathur, director, WII, said 100 delegates from over 40 countries would be participating in the four-day workshop. The workshop would explore opportunities for cooperation on capacity building needs towards sustainable use of biodiversity for long-term human well being.