Launching of Debate Series on Biodiversity and Development
13 February 2010

The Secretariat of Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) of United Nations selected CISSA (Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action) from India as the partner organisation to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) 2010. Considering the ever increasing human activities triggering biodiversity loss at an alarming pace, a phenomenon often referred to as sixth extinction, and realizing the fact that these losses are irreversible, impoverish us all and damage the life support systems we rely on, the United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). Throughout the year countless initiatives will be organized to disseminate information, promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage organizations, institutions, companies and individuals to take direct action to reduce the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide.

CISSA launched a debate series on the topic ”Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation” in connection with IYB 2010. Minister for Forests and Housing Binoy Viswam, Govt. of Kerala inaugurated the debate on 13 February 2010. He said that the solution for food security should come from our villages and the technologies and instruments practiced in the west are not necessary for food sufficiency of the country. “For example, this country with over 50,000 varieties of rice and over 4,000 varieties of brinjal should become self sufficient in food production. We should not be part of the “food refugees” any more and there should be specific action plans to ensure food for all. To prevent such crisis, the environment has to be conserved and more importance should be given to food security. Also, the political and monitory benefits have to be kept apart when we are talking about environment.” He said. He requested Annam meeting to come forward with better solutions to solve poverty alleviation, with strong foundation in local biodiversity.

Delivering the key-note address, environmentalist Dr. Satis Chandran Nair stressed the importance of making people more knowledgeable about biodiversity conservation. “Biodiversity of the State is going to suffer more, as the people are less informed about its importance, We have to see these problems seriously and there must be more active interventions to solve these problems” He said. Sri T.P. Padmanbhan (Director, SEEK, Kannur), Dr. T.N. Vijayakumar (Malabar Natural History Society), Shri Ajith Venniyoor and Dr. A. Biju Kumar spoke on the occasion. The debates organised during the year will finalise the strategies and action plans for integrating biodiversity as an element in all development plans and CISSA will policies and submit the report to CBD and government.

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