3-day international workshop on CBD programme implementation begin

Dehradun, Apr 2 (UNI) Participants from 19 South and West Asian countries are taking part in a three-day workshop on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Programme on Protected Areas here.

In his inaugural address, Uttarakhand Governor Sudarshan Agarwal said protected areas --national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural reserves, other legally designated areas, including those conserved by the local communities were the cornerstones for the conservation of the rich floral and faunal diversity of the earth.

''Principle of 'think globally, act locally' must be the guiding light in conserving biological resources not only for the present but also for future generations,'' he added.

Mr Agarwal said Uttarakhand, with six national parks and wildlife sanctuaries was the first state in the country to establish 'Conservation Reserves'. It is also home to the world famous Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1935.

The workshop aims to review the progress made in implementing the conservation programme on protected areas floated with an overall objective to establish and maintain terrestrial areas by 2010 and marine areas by 2012.

Opportunities and constraints to promote implementation of CBD would also be identified along with discussions on comprehensive and effective managment and ecological representative systems of protected areas in the workshop.

Besides the Chief Wildlife Wardens of various states, Central and state government officals are also taking part in the workshop.

Incidentally, the number of protected areas has been increasing significantly over the last decade and there are now more than 100,000 protected sites worldwide covering about 12 per cent of the earth's land surface.

Presently, India has 96 national parks and 504 wildlife sanctuaries covering 4.75 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

UNI