WWF-Pakistan celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity in Nathiagali to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. A drawing competition was organized to sensitise school students on nature conservation and sustainable consumption patterns.
The drawing competition was organized at Wildlife Information Centre, Dunga Gali, Ayubia National Park (ANP). The competition was held among 10 schools and a total of 30 students participated. Students made posters on this year's theme of International Day for Biological Diversity was biodiversity for sustainable development. Government Girls High School Khanispur secured first position, Government High School Tauheedabad secured second position and Government High School Samandar Katha took third position.
Certificates were distributed by Muhammad Faiq Khan, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife Department Abbottabad. According to him, 'It's a great initiative by WWF-Pakistan to sensitise children for nature conservation. I'm sure these children will become custodian of our natural resources in the near future.'
Muhammad Waseem, Co-ordinator Watershed Management Project, WWF-Pakistan said, 'Keeping in view the current scenario, increases in population and unchecked deforestation, we have to promote sustainable development so that biodiversity is not affected.' 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 encourages us to promote sustainability at large. Recently a WWF report titled the Living Planet Report 2014 also highlighted that global populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have declined by 52 per cent in a 40 year period.
The report also shows that humanity's demand on the planet is more than 50 per cent, more than what nature can renew, meaning it will take 1.5 Earths to produce the resources necessary to support our current ecological footprint. We need to change our consumption patterns so that biodiversity is not threatened.'
International Day for Biological Diversity highlights an important message to every country to adopt environment friendly solutions keeping in view existing threats to ecosystems. These solutions are extremely important as critical wildlife populations have declined due to increases in anthropogenic activities. 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.-PR
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