The Hindu, NAGERCOIL, May 23, 2013
The International Day for Biological Diversity was observed at Tholady [Kaani] tribal settlement in the Western Ghats of Kanyakumari district on Wednesday.
The United Nations has declared May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase the understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
Addressing the tribal people, mostly children, S.S. Davidson, environmental educator, said this year the theme was water and biodiversity, to coincide with the UN designating 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation.
The forests provided timber and non-timber resources, habitats for pollinators and wildlife. Improved landscapes provided significant recreational and cultural values. […]
Conservation and restoration of ecosystems will help achieve water security. Ecosystem components that exert major influences on water include forests, grasslands, wetlands and soils, which together could deliver water security benefits at the local, regional and global level, Mr. Davidson said. […]
The impact of climate change was primarily owing to changes in the water cycle. An ecosystem-based approach was therefore a primary response for adapting to climate change and this was largely about managing water, he added.
Photos: courtesy S S Davidson © 2013 Tribal Foundation (Nagercoil)
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