During 1600 to 1950 the rate of extinction was one species in every ten years. Now it is one species every year. Human activities like pollution, industrial agricultural and forestry, explosion in human population, over-exploitation of plants and animals and uncontrolled release of genetically modified crops are threatening biodiversity
VARIATION IS the law of nature. It occurs everywhere and every moment. Diversity starts at the micro or gene level and become apparent at species and ecosystem level. Biodiversity is sum of all the different species of animal, plants, fungi and microbial organisms living on earth and the variety of habitats in which they live. Scientists are still unable to determine the exact number of species inhabit the earth. It is estimated that there exist 10-13 million species of living forms on earth and only 1.5 million have been identified. It includes 300,000 species of green plants and fungi, 800,000 species of insects, 40,000 species of vertebrates and 360,000 species of microorganisms. Pakistan also has a rich source of biodiversity. Country has about 5,500 - 6,000 species of vascular plants, 174 mammal species, 668 bird species; 198 native and introduced freshwater fish species and about 5,000 species of invertebrates.
The life on earth is in great danger and facing a severe extinction episode. Some scientists believe that current extinction process is even more dangerous than the one that extinct the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Biologists estimate that as many as 27,000 species are becoming extinct each year. It means that three species go extinct every hour.
Biological extinction has been a natural phenomenon in geological history, but human activities are speeding up this process. During 1600-1950 the rate of extinction was one species every ten years, now it is one species every year. Human activities like pollution, industrial agricultural and forestry, explosion in human population, over exploitation of plants and animals and uncontrolled release of Genetically Modified crops are threatening biodiversity.
In 1971, the Government of Pakistan listed 31 species of mammals, birds and reptiles as being endangered in the country and it is without doubt that this list could now be extended. Lion, tiger, cheetah, one horned rhino, chau singa, ibex, snow leopard, wild ass and houbara bustard all are at verge of extinction. Unchecked Use of pesticides exacerbates the condition in rural areas. In 2009-10, 8741 Million Pak. Rupees had been spent on the insecticide import. These pesticides are not only creating resistance in the insects but also affecting drastically human health as well as biological diversity. Another challenge that the Pakistan is facing today is cultivation of unapproved varieties of Bt cotton on a large areas of Sindh and Punjab. Farmers and seed companies are violating the National Bio-safety laws which emphasized the clearance of transgenic varieties from National Bio-safety Committee, prior to their commercialization for risk assessment and management. The unapproved varieties are main threats for soil micro organisms, beneficial insects and other non-targets plants. There is a chance of gene escape from these Bt plants and development of some super weeds and insects that will have resistance against herbicides and pesticides.
Our physical well being depends on maintaining the biodiversity of life. Plants provide oxygen, which we breathe and they also help renew air tainted by industrial development. Plants have a vast potential for new medicines that can be formulated from compounds in plants. A large proportion of rural and tribal population still depends on wild animals and plants for daily food, medicines. Trees for housing, fodder and fuel wood requirements. Wild plants and land races provide a valuable source of genetic material for improvement of crop plants. They have disease, salt, drought and insect resistance genes. So the consequences of biodiversity loss will be wide ranging and will affect the overall sustainability of the ecosystem.
Keeping in view the threats to biodiversity different strategies are in use to conserve biodiversity. There are two main strategies Ex-situ (i.e. out of the natural habitat) and In-situ (within the natural habitat) are used for this purpose. Ex-situ strategy involves Zoos, Aquaria and Botanical garden. There are roughly 1,500 botanic gardens world-wide, holding 35,000 plant species (more than 15% of the world’s flora). The Royal Botanic Gardens of England the largest one contains an estimated 25,000 species. In-situ conservation measures involve protected sites, biosphere reserves and management of natural reserves.
Pakistan has given serious thought to protect its biodiversity and endangered ecosystems. Pakistan is a signatory of international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal (Bonn Convention) and the convention on Biological Diversity. In addition, Pakistan is a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the International Waterflow and Wetland Research Bureau (WRB) the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Pakistan has 225 Protected Areas 14 national parks, 99 wildlife sanctuaries, and 96 game reserves.
World is doing a lot to conserve biodiversity. Keeping in view the importance of biodiversity United Nations has declared 2011-2020 as the Biodiversity Decade. But any biodiversity programme cannot succeed without the awareness and involvement of local people. Challenges like pollution, global warming and menace of population pressure can’t be dealt successfully without the involvement of local people. Along with seminars and workshops, media and students can play an important role in awareness campaigns of biodiversity conservation. Prosperity and good living is mainly depended on conservation of biodiversity. By doing this we can make this world a happier place to live.
VARIATION IS the law of nature. It occurs everywhere and every moment. Diversity starts at the micro or gene level and become apparent at species and ecosystem level. Biodiversity is sum of all the different species of animal, plants, fungi and microbial organisms living on earth and the variety of habitats in which they live. Scientists are still unable to determine the exact number of species inhabit the earth. It is estimated that there exist 10-13 million species of living forms on earth and only 1.5 million have been identified. It includes 300,000 species of green plants and fungi, 800,000 species of insects, 40,000 species of vertebrates and 360,000 species of microorganisms. Pakistan also has a rich source of biodiversity. Country has about 5,500 - 6,000 species of vascular plants, 174 mammal species, 668 bird species; 198 native and introduced freshwater fish species and about 5,000 species of invertebrates.
The life on earth is in great danger and facing a severe extinction episode. Some scientists believe that current extinction process is even more dangerous than the one that extinct the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Biologists estimate that as many as 27,000 species are becoming extinct each year. It means that three species go extinct every hour.
Biological extinction has been a natural phenomenon in geological history, but human activities are speeding up this process. During 1600-1950 the rate of extinction was one species every ten years, now it is one species every year. Human activities like pollution, industrial agricultural and forestry, explosion in human population, over exploitation of plants and animals and uncontrolled release of Genetically Modified crops are threatening biodiversity.
In 1971, the Government of Pakistan listed 31 species of mammals, birds and reptiles as being endangered in the country and it is without doubt that this list could now be extended. Lion, tiger, cheetah, one horned rhino, chau singa, ibex, snow leopard, wild ass and houbara bustard all are at verge of extinction. Unchecked Use of pesticides exacerbates the condition in rural areas. In 2009-10, 8741 Million Pak. Rupees had been spent on the insecticide import. These pesticides are not only creating resistance in the insects but also affecting drastically human health as well as biological diversity. Another challenge that the Pakistan is facing today is cultivation of unapproved varieties of Bt cotton on a large areas of Sindh and Punjab. Farmers and seed companies are violating the National Bio-safety laws which emphasized the clearance of transgenic varieties from National Bio-safety Committee, prior to their commercialization for risk assessment and management. The unapproved varieties are main threats for soil micro organisms, beneficial insects and other non-targets plants. There is a chance of gene escape from these Bt plants and development of some super weeds and insects that will have resistance against herbicides and pesticides.
Our physical well being depends on maintaining the biodiversity of life. Plants provide oxygen, which we breathe and they also help renew air tainted by industrial development. Plants have a vast potential for new medicines that can be formulated from compounds in plants. A large proportion of rural and tribal population still depends on wild animals and plants for daily food, medicines. Trees for housing, fodder and fuel wood requirements. Wild plants and land races provide a valuable source of genetic material for improvement of crop plants. They have disease, salt, drought and insect resistance genes. So the consequences of biodiversity loss will be wide ranging and will affect the overall sustainability of the ecosystem.Keeping in view the threats to biodiversity different strategies are in use to conserve biodiversity. There are two main strategies Ex-situ (i.e. out of the natural habitat) and In-situ (within the natural habitat) are used for this purpose. Ex-situ strategy involves Zoos, Aquaria and Botanical garden. There are roughly 1,500 botanic gardens world-wide, holding 35,000 plant species (more than 15% of the world’s flora). The Royal Botanic Gardens of England the largest one contains an estimated 25,000 species. In-situ conservation measures involve protected sites, biosphere reserves and management of natural reserves.
Pakistan has given serious thought to protect its biodiversity and endangered ecosystems. Pakistan is a signatory of international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal (Bonn Convention) and the convention on Biological Diversity. In addition, Pakistan is a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the International Waterflow and Wetland Research Bureau (WRB) the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Pakistan has 225 Protected Areas 14 national parks, 99 wildlife sanctuaries, and 96 game reserves.
World is doing a lot to conserve biodiversity. Keeping in view the importance of biodiversity United Nations has declared 2011-2020 as the Biodiversity Decade. But any biodiversity programme cannot succeed without the awareness and involvement of local people. Challenges like pollution, global warming and menace of population pressure can’t be dealt successfully without the involvement of local people. Along with seminars and workshops, media and students can play an important role in awareness campaigns of biodiversity conservation. Prosperity and good living is mainly depended on conservation of biodiversity. By doing this we can make this world a happier place to live.
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