Minister of Environment and Energy has called on the citizens to save guard the Maldivian ecosystem as economic development is dependent on it.
In the function held at Ministry of Environment and Energy to mark the International day for Biodiversity, Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim noted the Maldivian ecosystem plays an important role in the major industries of Fisheries, Agriculture and Tourism.
The United Nations had proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Starting from 1993, every year May 22nd is marked as the International Day for Biodiversity.
Biodiversity, at the level of species and ecosystems, provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation. Many issues addressed under the Convention on Biological Diversity directly affect the tourism sector. A well-managed tourist sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue.
This year's theme for the day is "Biodiversity and Sustainable Development." This year's theme reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda for the period of 2015-2030 and the relevance of biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development.
Regarding the day, Environmental protection agency (EPA) stated that Maldives benefit from some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world and that it is every individual's responsibility to protect eco-systems from any harm.
Maldives has a unique eco-system; the country's coral reefs are the seventh largest in the world, representing some 5% of the global reef area. 21,000 square kilometers of reefs are home to 250 species of coral, which swarm with over 1,000 species of fish. Records show that Maldives' land ecosystem rough
ly consists of 580 types of plant and more than 170 types of birds and insects. Biodiversity of the Maldives is not only important for the country's environmental health; it is also important economic and developmental imperative.
At an exclusive interview to PSM News, Director General of EPA Ibrahim Naeem said that it is a responsibility of every individual to protect and develop the ecosystem.
The government of the Maldives formulated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to fully appreciate, conserve, sustainably use and equitably access and share benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services.