Biodiversity conservation crucial for human survival: Expert

The diversity of nature should be respected by all as the diversified flora and fauna are part and parcel of people's lives and also important for the climate of the country, according to an expert, reports UNB. "We should respect the diversity of nature, and diversity is the basis for survival," said Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, director, Centre for Global Environmental Culture (CGEC) and Programme on Education for Sustainability, IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology). Marking the World Biodiversity Conservation Day, he was recently talking to the news agency about the 'Biodiversity Conservation and Food Security of Indigenous People in Hilly Regions of Bangladesh'. About crop diversification, Dr Rahman said in the face of shrinking natural resources and ever-increasing demand for more food and agricultural production, agricultural diversification is the best method for future of agriculture. He noted that there is a natural reluctance among farmers to change their farming systems that have been well-adapted for generations. However, as circumstances have changed (population increase, land degradation, etc.) the farming systems have also changed. He added that the main threats to sustainability are population pressure and scarcity of agricultural land. This problem should be met primarily by the villagers themselves although external agencies can extend assistance.