Pakistan forms a bridge between the Middle East and the Orient, and is a country of tremendous uniqueness, with its dramatic ecological diversity, broad latitudinal spread and immense latitudinal range. Housing the second highest point of the world - K2 - at 8,611 m to the lowest point in the Arabian Sea at 0 m, it presents varied ecosystems, which support a large variety of biodiversity. These range from the mangrove forests fringing the Arabian Sea to the spectacular mountaintops where the Western Himalayas, Hindukush and Karakorums meet.
Constituting as many as 18 distinct habitats, they support a rich variety of species (plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, invertebrates) that contribute to the overall biodiversity of Pakistan. These include more than 5,700 species of plants, 104 species of mammals, 668 species of migratory and resident birds, 400 marine and 125 freshwater fish species, 174 species of reptiles and 16 species of amphibians. 20,000 species of insects and terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates, and 700 species of marine invertebrates.
But many of these unique creations of nature are under threat. Endangered mammals include the Indus dolphin and the woolly flying squirrel. Threatened mammals include, among others, the hex, Markhor, Urial, Goitred Gazelle, Marco Polo Sheep, Snow Leopard, Balochistan Black Bear, common Leopard, wild Ass and houbara Bustard.
The International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) is celebrated all over the world, on May 22, to highlight the significance of biodiversity conservation. It symbolises the collective will of the world to co-operate in halting and reversing the accelerating loss of biological and genetic resources of the planet.
It gives an opportunity to all; to join hands and talk about the existing and emerging problems caused by biodiversity loss and prospects of biodiversity conservation.
The 1DB celebrations are focussed towards giving a human face to biodiversity issues; empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development by conserving biodiversity; promoting an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues and advocating partnerships which will ensure all nations, and peoples to enjoy a healthier and more prosperous future.
The world is changing faster than ever before. Growing human populations and expanding consumption are placing great pressure on biological diversity. This year's theme for IDB reminds us that, in addition to providing the physical conditions for all life, biodiversity also plays an important role in protecting life ant making it more resilient to the pressures brought about by change. Biodiversity is the source of essential goods and ecological services that constitute the source of life for all. It also reminds us that the poor and the vulnerable rely on biodiversity, and that we should all seek to conserve and sustainable use biodiversity and share the benefits we derive from it in an equitable manner.
The World Conservation (IUCN), globally acknowledged for its work in biodiversity conservation, especially its Red List of threatened and endangered species, has also been actively involved in several projects and programmes in Pakistan, aimed towards conserving varied facets of biodiversity through direct implementation and technical support. Besides initiatives like the Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) undertaken with the help of UNDP and the recently concluded Environmental Rehabilitation Project in NWFP and Punjab (ERNP).-PR
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