AMWJU observes World Biodiversity Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 22 2019:
The All
Manipur Working Journalists'
Union (AMWJU) on
Wednesday observed World
Biodiversity Day under the
theme - "Our bio-diversity, our
food, our health" at Manipur
Press Club, Imphal.
Speaking at the event on
the changing climate, Y
Nabachandra Singh, Director,
Directorate of Environment,
said that a vast number of species
have gone extinct due to
human encroachment and
other natural catastrophes.
Thousands of species are going
extinct every year.
President of Editors' Guild,
Manipur Khogendra
Khomdram talked on how deforestation
and large scale
felling of trees have increased
global warming.
According to the United
Nations, May 22 is celebrated
as the International Day for
Biological Diversity (IDB) to
increase understanding and
awareness of biodiversity issues.
When the Second
Committee of the United General
Assembly first observed
the day in 1993, they had designated
December 29 to be the
International Day for Biological
Diversity.
In December 2000, the UN
General Assembly adopted
May 22 as IDB, to commemorate
the adoption of the text of
the Convention on May 22,
1992 by the Nairobi Final Act
of the Conference for the
Adoption of the Agreed Text
of the Convention on Biological
Diversity.
As per census
of Marine Life, there are about
8.7 million species (give or
take 1.3 million) on Earth with
6.5 million on land and 2.2
million in oceans.
Further,
PLos Biology says a staggering
86 % of all species on
land and 91 % of those in the
seas are yet to be discovered,
described and catalogued.
According to UN reports,
the last century has witnessed
more than 90 per cent of the
crop varieties and half of the
breeds of domestic animals
being wiped out.
This year's
theme calls for reducing meat
consumption, consumption of
seasonal foods.
It encourages
purchase of local foods, usage
of reusable bags, reduce food
waste and avoid plastics.
Bijoy Kakchingtabam, president
AMWJU, Dr Y
Premchandra Singh, Deputy
Director Health and many
journalists attended the event.