International Day for Biological Diversity

International Day for Biological Diversity 2017

Question: May 22, 2017, is celebrated as ‘International Day for Biological Diversity’ all over the world. What is the theme of this day for year 2017?
(a) Biodiversity and sustainable development
(b) Biodiversity and Sustainable tourism
(c) Biodiversity and climate change
(d) Biodiversity and employment
Answer- (b)
Related facts:

  • On May 22, 2017, ‘International Day for Biological Diversity’ was observed globally.
  • The theme for ‘International Day for Biological Diversity 2017’ is “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”.
  • It is notable that UN proclaimed May 22, the date of the adoption of the text of Convention on Biological Diversity, as the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2000.
  • With only 2.4% of world’s land area, India accounts for 7-8% of recorded species of the world.
  • In terms of species richness, India ranks seventh in mammals, ninth in birds and fifth in reptiles.
  • India’s share of crops is 44% as compared to the world average of 11%.
  • India also has 23.39% of its geographical area under forest and tree cover.
  • There are 4 hotspots of biodiversity in India- (i) Himalaya, (ii) Indo-Myanmar borders (iii) Sunda lands and (iv) Western Ghats
  • A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is a federal legislation enacted by the Parliament of India for preservation of biological diversity in India.
  • The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002).
  • NBA performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.
  • Desert National Park is a unique biosphere reserve for conservation and development of biodiversity in India.
  • It is situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Reference:
http://www.un.org/en/events/biodiversityday/
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=105134