LAHORE: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity at the Virtual University (VU) here to spread understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

An awareness raising seminar was organised to sensitise the students to the biodiversity issues of Pakistan and the world, said a press release.

According to Hammad Naqi Khan, director general WWF-Pakistan, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated each year to raise awareness of biodiversity issues. This year’s theme, Biodiversity for Sustainable Development, stresses the need to promote sustainability at large. Recently, a WWF report, titled The Living Planet Report 2014, also highlighted that global population of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles declined by 52pc in 40 years period. The report also confirms that humanity’s demand on the planet is 50pc more than what nature can renew.

According to Uzma Noureen, coordinator Indus River Dolphin Conservation Project, despite the global trends, an increase in the Indus river dolphin population had been noted due WWF partnerships with the Sindh Wildlife Department and the capacity building of local communities. Due to the conservation initiatives the population of Indus river dolphins has increased from 1,200 in year 2001 to 1,452 in year 2011.

Pakistan is home to the most spectacular biodiversity, such as snow leopards, common leopards, Indus river dolphins, marine cetaceans, turtles and hundreds of migratory birds and important plant species including hundreds of medicinal plants. Some of our rich biodiversity is threatened by illegal wildlife trade. Smuggling of freshwater turtles, pangolins, and black scorpions and increasing human-wildlife conflict are a growing concern. Increasing deforestation has contributed to increased threats to species such as the common leopard by destroying the natural prey base for the species and bringing settlements closer to leopards.

Warda Javed, senior officer, Small Grants Programme, gave an overview of the WWF-Pakistan and the role of the organisation in conserving biodiversity while Hasan Ali, assistant manager, Conservation, shared an update about the biodiversity of Pakistan.

Dr Kauser Abdulla Malik, chief guest on the occasion also gave a talk on the importance of biodiversity while Naveed A Malik, rector Virtual University, also spoke.

The event was followed by a screening of a documentary on the common leopard.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015

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