Protecting Bio-diversity Promoted by Trained Human Resources

 Anirudha Alam

Biodiversity is the source of our life. All the species are directly and indirectly holding our medical, agricultural, ecological, commercial, cultural and recreational value as a whole. If biodiversity is not preserved properly, the existence of human race on earth will be threatened very drastically. So anyhow we have to conserve the biodiversity. Human resource development through comprehensive and integrated training on scaling up life skill related to environment awareness may play important role in this regard. To preserve the bio-diversity, at first, the capacity of the people from different walks of life should be developed that they may contribute with great commitment to save the bio-diversity and eventually enhance environmental sustainability.

Day by day our environment is being damaged at alarming rates causing habitats to be altered and modified. The changes are occurring at a fast pace that the time is too little for individual species to cope with or adjust to new circumstances. So every day some species lose their existence. Every species is dependable on each other. If one species is endangered that spreads bad effect allover the biodiversity. As per the estimation of the U.S. Fish and Wild Life Services, losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30 insect, plant and higher animal species. In thus way, human being is affected by the deformation of bio-diversity as well.

Preservation of bio-diversity is the gateway to continue the existence of human being properly. But every time we are doing harm to the bio-diversity in our conscious and subconscious mind. All over the world, biodiversity is under pressure from unplanned development, habitat destruction, pollution, bad grazing management, over-exploitation and the list goes on. What’s more! Other indirect human induced pressures like, climate change, global warming also are making environment unworthy of preserving biodiversity in sound condition. We have to have enough awareness and capacity to underpin the biodiversity. With this point of view, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) contains specific provisions on the need to strengthen specific and technological capacities for conservation. Article 12 of the CBD highlights on research and training with focus on the need to establish programs for scientific and technical training.  

In the name of modernism, we are related to some risky behaviors like taking more land for urbanizations, changing in woodland and forestry management practices that are plaguing the environment with different problems and difficulties very gravely. One of the endangered species Panda is dying out mainly because of one main reason: habitat loss. Bamboo their main source of food takes a long time to grow. This problem wasn't present when pandas were spread all over the greater south-east of Asia, comprising China. When a forest of bamboo was being consumed by them, they could easily move to another bamboo forest. But nowadays wild pandas have been reported to die because of starvation just for the reason that they cannot reach in time the next bamboo forest limited rigorously and being destroyed by human activities. As per the red list prepared by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN), 54 species of inland fish, 58 reptiles, 41 resident birds and 40 mammals are threatened with extinction in Bangladesh. The National Herbarium has made a list of 96 plants as threatened species in Bangladesh. Royal Bengal Tiger and Hilsa fish for which Bangladesh is exceptionally famous are no longer available in plenty. In view of the nature of human activities in overexploiting the habitat of these species, it is evident from the list of endangered species that the ecology of Bangladesh is deteriorating under pressures of overpopulation, industrialization and urbanization. In the light of previous history, we may say that it is a fairly recent phenomenon.

For conserving and promoting sustainable use of biodiversity, foremost, general people should be aware of avenues as to environment protection. Their capacity should be developed that they are able to be well equipped with enough means, and ways and technologies to protect environment from degradation. With this great mission, Aquis Consulting Group of Australia founded in 1993 has been delivering best practice environmental training for businessmen and government clients both within their capacity and through their partners worldwide.

Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallayan Foundation conducting and offering training in biodiversity prospecting over the years organized socio-economic assessments on preserving environment in its rural intervention areas in 2007. As per the findings of the assessments, it is possible to develop capacity of rural people of Bangladesh easily and effectively through human resource development activities and courtyard centered orientation cum training is the very effective means to make aware them about their responsibility to preserving biodiversity and environment.

Improving knowledge and skill as for biodiversity preservation should be ensured in all areas of life including home, community and at work. In relation with this, utilization of local training providers may be set as the necessary part of strong community network to provide environmental learning opportunity for all. 

Anirudha Alam

Deputy Director (Information & Development Communication) & Trainer

BEES (Bangladesh Extension Education Services)

183, Lane 2, Eastern Road, New DOHS

Mohakhali, Dhaka 1206

Bangladesh.

Website: http://www.bees-bd.org

Phone: 01718342876, 9889732, 9889733 (office), 8050514 (res.)

E-mail: anirudhaalam@yahoo.com

Ref: International Union for Conservation and Nature, Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallayan Foundation, UNESCO, National Herbarium