Biodiversity – a Sovereign Property

HARMONY WITH nature and sustainable development – The theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22 emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature and human wellbeing, and the importance of biodiversity for achieving sustainable development goals. One thing is certain. Despite all our technological advances we are undeniably and totally dependent on a healthy and vibrant ecosystem for our food and water security, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, and energy among others. Hence, our environment should be kept under our national security.

Biodiversity, as the variety of all living beings on earth, comprises the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes, ecosystem, and the biome of the entire planet. A common good, biodiversity is an invaluable legacy formed over a course of millions of years and a capital to transmit to future generations.

Biodiversity, being the future foundation, is the answer to all our environmental issues. It coins the economies like agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing for pristineness in people, their future.

Biodiversity is the living fabric which underpins human wellbeing in the present and future and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. Biodiversity is like a large tank, from which humans can draw food, medicine and even livelihood. Biodiversity is the insurance for the lives on the Planet.

Biodiversity is the measure of the health of ecosystem. Preserving biodiversity and human development must go hand-in-hand. Once there was only a choice between development and biodiversity but now, we realize that we can longer separate these two worlds.

India’s Biodiversity at a Glance

India is a mega-diverse house for around 10 per cent of world’s wildlife. The country with 2.4 per cent of the global area, accounts for 7.8 per cent of all recorded biodiversity. There are about 45,000 species of plants, which is about 7 per cent of global total of which 33 per cent are endemic. There are 15,000 flowering plants, which is 6 per cent of world’s total. We also have 136 species of bamboo. There are also 91,000 animal species, representing about 6.5 per cent of world’s fauna. These include 60,000 insect species, 2,456 fish species, 500 molluscs, 1,230 bird species, 372 mammals, over 440 reptiles and 200 amphibians with the largest concentration in Western Ghats. Livestock diversity of 400 breeds of sheep, 27 of cattle and 22 of goats are found in India.

Manipur’s Biodiversity at a Glance

Manipur with two world’s hotspots is known for its richness in biodiversity, including endemic flora and fauna. Our biodiversity includes about 4000 angiosperms, 1200 medicinal plants, 34 species of edible fungi, about 500 orchids, 55 species of bamboo, 695 birds, 160 fish species, 55 migratory birds, and multitude of butterflies and insects. There are 145 plants with medicinal properties that the local healers use for treating 59 ailments.

Manipur is again the home of six species of hornbill, four species of pheasants, including the state bird Nongin and flyway of Amur Falcon. The state has Protected Area Network over about 3.7 per cent of the geographical area. Manipur Zoological Garden houses about 50 endemics, endangered or rare species. In state orchidarium, about 343 orchid species are conserved. But now, whole of our rich biodiversity is at brink.

Global Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss jeopardizes nature’s vital contributions to humanity, endangering economies, livelihoods, food security, cultural diversity and quality of life and constitutes a major threat to global peace and security.

Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build our civilizations. Over 82 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about three billion people. And, 80 per cent of people in developing countries rely on traditional plant‐based medicines for basic healthcare. But loss of biodiversity has given throes to living beings.

Biodiversity provides the building blocks for livelihood. The loss of genes and individuals threatened survival of species. In spite of the importance given to biodiversity conservation, genetic erosion continues globally. Twelve per cent of birds, 21 per cent of mammals, 30 per cent of amphibians, 27 per cent of coral reefs and 35 per cent of conifers and cycads face extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, over 47,677 species may soon disappear from the face of the earth.

Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, over-exploitation, invasive species and urbanization are the main drivers of biodiversity loss. Over 90 per cent of biodiversity loss is due to over exploitation and habitat loss. Hence the need for reuse, reduce and recycle.

Forest plays an important role in conservation of biodiversity. But global loss of forests cover is about the size of three football grounds per minute and 15 billion trees are cut every year. But a fully grown tree can produce oxygen for 10 persons and can store one ton of CO2. Nearly 39.4 per cent of all known tree species and 28 per cent of the animal species are already at risk of extinction. Woody tree species are enabled to shift pole ward with changing climatic conditions. Hence, forest conservation is vital to protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

The rate of the earth’s biodiversity loss is about one species per 20 minutes and about 150 species per day. A species once lost is lost forever and when a species is lost, it affects another species and the whole ecosystem. To halt this decline, it is vital to transform people’s role, action and relationship with biodiversity.

Biodiversity is a country’s sovereign property of its people. Now, human need to forge a peace pact with nature and biodiversity. Together we can galvanize actions and awareness on political impetus for nature and the planet. Therefore, for the sake of mother earth and the future generation, let’s save our biodiversity today because tomorrow may be too late.

The author, Dr N Munal Meitei, is an Environmentalist, presently working as District Forest Offier, Chandel. The author can be reached at nmunall@yahoo.in

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