Beware the loss of Biodiversity - Summary

Beware the loss of biodiversity

- Prof. P. J. Sanjeeva Raj

Beware the loss of biodiversity

- JS.N 

(04/12/2022)

Beware the loss of biodiversity, a newspaper article published in The Hindu by Prof. P. J. Sanjeeva Raj in 2012. It is about the declining biodiversity and the non-commitment of human’s actions in preserving it. Biodiversity is a term used to describe all the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. It provides all basic needs for healthy survival including oxygen, food, medicines, fibre, fuel, energy, fertilisers, fodder and waste-disposal, etc. 

Prof. P. J. Sanjeeva Raj in his article had pointed out the importance of preserving biodiversity. He tries to make people aware of the greater threat which mankind will face due to the loss of biodiversity by quoting Professor Edward O. Wilson's views on biodiversity. According to Professor Edward O. Wilson, this continuing loss of biodiversity will lead to an emotional shock and trauma of loneliness and helplessness which will lead humans into an age called the “Eremozoic Era, the Age of Loneliness.” Professor Edward O. Wilson after his research had observed that the current rate of biodiversity loss is the highest in comparison with the Mesozoic era - 65 million years ago, when humans had not even appeared. He regrets that humans will face extinction and a greater loss due to the Loss of biodiversity than that of the climatic change.

Prof. P. J. Sanjeeva Raj briefed how the ‘Biodiversity Decade’ 2011- 2020 was assigned by the United Nations General Assembly to enable the harmony between human and nature and its biodiversity. XI Conference of Parties (CoP-11), a global mega event on biodiversity, held in the year 2012 which enabled 193 parties from various countries to review the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and India was turned out to be one of the 17 mega-diverse (richest biodiversity) countries amongst it. The Hyderabad CoP-11, came up with the slogan “Nature Protects if She is Protected” and explained the relation between man and nature.

 


He highlights the three-fold biodiversity mission to his readers as:

  1. List the existing biodiversity, 
  2. Conserve it and
  3. Equitably share the benefits out of it. 

He wants his readers to understand the unique role played by every organism in an ecosystem. He states that no living being is without any use and he wants people to understand the importance of all keystone species like honeybees, dragonflies, bats, frogs, house sparrows, etc. The ‘hot spots’ are the places where richest biodiversity can be found, however, nowadays it's been occupied by humans and is turning overpopulated. The Assam Himalayas and the Western Ghats were stated as the two little explored treasure banks in India. Through the article he wants people to understand and safeguard what benefits humans based on its role and not on its momentary benefits. 


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