THE International Day for Biological Diversity was observed the world over on May 22, with an objective to raise awareness about its importance and the threats it faces owing to the poaching, trade, lack of awareness, overexploitation, habitat loss and climate change all over the world.

Pakistan is home to unique wildlife which is found in its representative ecosystem across the country, varying from sea level to high altitude snow-covered mountain ranges of Himalayas, Hindukush, and the Karakoram.

Encroachment of human population into wildlife habitats has further exerted pressure on the dwindling resources intensifying the human-wildlife conflicts.

Let us celebrate biodiversity jointly because it is the life-support system which is our living partner on the planet earth. By promoting conservation, individually and collectively, we will justify our existence as superior beings.

Be it participation of children and youths in conservation- based activities as a promising potential investment, our future generation has a right over the biodiversity and we need to save it not only for them at large but for the integrity of the natural balance and processes.

It is the responsibility of all people to come forward and put their share in the sustainable use of biodiversity at local level to strengthen the ongoing initiatives which will fulfil our commitment to international obligations.

Mohammad Niaz

Deputy Conservator, Wildlife Department

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2015

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