International Biodiversity Day was observed in Bangladesh yesterday amid some disturbing realities. According to a report of this newspaper, the human encroachment is taking a toll on the country's biodiversity, which is essential for food security. Besides, the livelihoods of poor people dependent on the diversity of nature are seriously being threatened as 80 per cent of the livelihood of the poor comes from natural resources.

The experts cited anthropogenic pressures, uncontrolled dredging, hydrological intervention, pollution, chemical fertilizers, etc. directly affect habitats, biodiversity and aquifers. Biodiversity plays an important role in poverty reduction in the country but the livelihood of the poor is now at risk as our rivers are dying and forests are being destroyed indiscriminately. So, poor people cannot catch fish in the rivers or eat fruit from the forests. Population growth, rural poverty, illegal wood extraction, overexploitation, poor forest management, lack of trained personnel and lack of awareness about biodiversity are major causes behind nature’s destruction.

Bangladesh has 57 common rivers with India, but it is not getting a just share of water from the upstream country. Aridity reigns supreme during the dry season due to lack of water while excessive water destroys people’s property and natural resources during monsoon. It is worrying that 85 per cent of the vast Modhupur forest which was rich in flora, fauna and natural resources has been cleared in the last 40 years. Besides, the original shape of historic Chalan Beel, rich in water resources, has dramatically changed because of misuse of natural resources.

Already, 12 wildlife species have become extinct in Bangladesh. In addition, 40 mammal, 41 bird, 58 reptile, and eight amphibian species are listed in the Red Data book of threatened animals of Bangladesh. In the circumstances, the relevant authorities should take effective measures to protect biodiversity that is responsible for providing a wide range of essential goods and services on which we all depend. Poor people in rural areas are greatly dependent on these goods and services to meet their day-to-day survival needs. To them, biodiversity is a safety net, a natural health service and an insurance strategy.

There are effective strategies to tackle biodiversity loss, the most common of which is the establishment of protected areas. It is imperative to develop sustainable biodiversity for human welfare. It is essential to ensure food security for all by conserving biodiversity. In fact, nature is providing food, water, medicine, clothes and shelter to humans. Even the air we breathe is from nature. So, nothing should be done that is inimical to nature.