The
diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat (or in the world as
a whole) is called biodiversity due to its importance to sustain the life on
this planet in healthy manners, the United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and
awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of
the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force
of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International
Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted
22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22
May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the
Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done
because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable
celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that
coincide around that time of year.
This
year’s theme reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish
a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations
Post-2015 Development Agenda for the period of 2015-2030 and the relevance of
biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development. This special day
was also celebrated in Pakistan at different sites. The main event was held at
Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad under the supervision of
highly
talented and dedicated personals of the PMNH, Dr. Muhammad Rafique (Deputy
Director General, PMNH) and Dr. Ismail Bhatti (Asst. Curator, PMNH). The ceremony started at 9:30 a.m., was
a true healthy activity as the event managing team of PMNH covers all aspects necessary
for the community awareness and education. The panel for inauguration ceremony
was comprised on internationally famous scientists and competent authorities of
the institute. The ceremony was presided by Dr. Muhammad Ashraf (Chairman,
Pakistan Science Foundation). On this special day, the event managing team organized
a poster competition regarding the theme of the day, among students from
different schools. During the inauguration ceremony a special story telling
session was presented by Mr. Safeer Jafrey (President, Agri. Education
Pakistan/ Res. Ed. Vet. News & Views) and got warm appreciations from
audience. The certificates were awarded by the Dr. M. Ashraf (Chairman, PSF) and
Dr. M. Khan Leghari (D.G PMNH) among the winners of the competition. The
special arrival of respected Dr. Khalid Mehmood Shouq (Chief Editor, Vet. News
& Views), Mr. Junaid Hafeez and Mr.
Nabeel (Members, Editorial Board, Vet. News & Views), Ms. Rabia Shahid
(Vice President, Agri. Education Pakistan) just made the event simply pleasant.
The technical session was started at
11:20 a.m. by the presentation on “Biodiversity for the sustainable
development”, presented by Pakistan’s one of the senior zoologist respected Dr.
Z. B. Mirza, afterward Dr. Ibrar Shinwari, Dr. Rehmat Ullah Qureshi and Dr. M. Rafique presented the
mentioned topics respectively; “Botanical diversity for sustainable
development”, “Role of plants for the sustainable biodiversity” and “Biodiversity
for the sustainable development with reference to Pakistan”.
A special stall with awareness and
promotional brochures was placed for the participants by PMNH. Dr. Ashraf, Dr.
Shouq and all the competent personals appreciated the managing team for a
successful and truly fruitful event. Especially, Dr. Khalid Shouq appreciated
the dedication for excellence of Dr. Ismail Bhatti. The participants also
served with refreshment and lunch. The words which were life of the event, said
by Dr. Z. B. Mirza; “to serve and conserve the nature and biodiversity is the
part of Haqooq-ul-ebaad and Islamic obligation”.
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