The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for Biological Diversity(IDB) is annually celebrated across the globe on 22nd May to create awareness about the importance of biodiversity and highlight the issues and provide an understanding of the importance of biodiversity as a global asset of high value to the future generation.
The theme of International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 is “Building a shared future for all life”.
- The theme highlights that biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/55/201 in 2000 and proclaimed the 22nd May of Every year as International Day for Biological Diversity.
ii.The first ever International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on 22nd May 2001.
Why May 22?
May 22nd marks the date of the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The text of the convection was adopted on 22 May 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Note:
i.The convection was opened to the signature on 5th June 1992, during the Rio “Earth Summit” and within a year, the convention received 168 signatures.
ii.The Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force on 29th December 1993.
iii.The Convention on Biological Diversity meets every 2 years.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
CBD is the international legal instrument for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. CBD has been ratified by 196 nations.
Threats faced by biodiversity and ecosystems:
i.Current negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems will undermine progress towards 80% of the assessed targets of 8 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
ii.Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.
Events in India:
i.On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity(IBD) 2022, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) along with Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Minister for Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu Siva V Meyyanathan inaugurated the special exhibition on “Biodiversity, Nutritional Security & Human Wellbeing” in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
ii.He also released a special commemorative postal cover by India Post and the National Biodiversity Authority in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
iii.Important launches during the event are as follows :
- A book titled “India, Naturally!”, India’s Living Biodiversity – A People’s resource fourth edition,
- “Summary report on Asian water birds census”,
- “Criteria & Guidelines for identifying Other Effective area based Conservation Measures(OECMs) in India”,
- and “A Compendium of OECMs in India”.
iv.He also conferred the India Biodiversity Awards 2021 during the event.
