DUSHANBE, April 27, 2010, Asia-Plus — The United Nations declared 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity (resolution 61/203) and Countless Initiatives are being organized to disseminate information, promote the biodiversity conservation and encourage government and civil society institutions to take direct action on reduction of the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide, press release issued by the UNDP CO Tajikistan on April 26 said.
Yet much attention can be emphasized into extinction of some species of flora and fauna, but the real threats to the biodiversity conservation can be brought through the processes like fragmentation, degradation, deforestation, drying up marchlands, and other important types of eco systems. As of today 30 percent of the main species of flora and fauna are endangered globally.
Overexploitation of the natural resources in the context of Tajikistan has led to the situation that some of the natural components and their elements faced variations or nonreversible changes and this is seriously concerned and worried by the country’s government and International community. In this context, along with other institutions being engaged with sustainable natural resource management and restoration of ecosystem, UNDP Energy and Environment Program in close partnership with the State Department of Forestry and Hunting on April 17 organized tree planting campaign devoted to the International Year of Biodiversity in one of the Hissar Biodiversity Project – preserve “Almosi”. More than 400 different fruit, decorative and forest seedlings have been planted in the area of 1.5 hectare.
During the presentations, Mr. Vrbensky, UNDP Tajikistan Country Director, and Mr. Safarov, Director of the State Department of Forestry and Hunting, noted that the tree planting activity was considered as a good stimulation point for the Forestry agency and local communities located in and around the Protected Areas to stabilize soil and gullies on the slopes of Hissar Mountains and simultaneously to generate afforestation in the area. This activity was aimed at informing the public about the value of biodiversity conservation and communities’ involvement in the process of sustainable natural resources management.
UNDP Energy and Environment Program further in close collaboration with national and international partners will initiate the conduction of the activities dedicated to this year with special focus on biodiversity conservation, establishment of forestry nurseries and recovering the flora and fauna within Tajikistan.
The Energy and Environment Program is a newly established structure within the UNDP Tajikistan aimed to contribute towards reduction of widespread poverty in Tajikistan by: promotion of income-generating end-use applications of renewable energy sources, ensuring sustainable natural resource management, and educating and involving diverse national and local stakeholders in addressing environmental issues within the country.
