International Biodiversity Day is observed worldwide on 22 May to broaden discussion of biodiversity and raise awareness of its importance. To mark the day, Kazi Maliha Akter presents students' thoughts on biodiversity.

"Much of the rural Bengal nature and biodiversity I read about as a child, the surroundings, animals and birds, trees and creepers, insects and rivers, has disappeared. Our environment was once just as poets and writers described it: green everywhere, the call of crickets, fireflies at night, birdsong, clear water in canals and beels. Now there is only brick, concrete, rubbish and machinery. In this age of urbanisation we move towards technology and lose countless forms of life. Biodiversity is the life of nature, but urbanisation is clearing forests, filling in waterbodies and leaving thousands of animals homeless. Sparrows once came to sit on the veranda and the cuckoo's song was heard in spring; today they are not seen. The balance of the environment is constantly being upset, raising temperatures, pollution and natural disasters, and threatening biodiversity itself. In short, if we cannot save biodiversity, we will not survive either. So some steps should be taken to conserve biodiversity in cities: rooftop gardens, renewable energy, less pollution, small urban forests and an end to bird hunting."

Saima Hasan, student, Department of Bangla, Chattogram College.

"People live on a beautiful planet, but sadly global warming is affecting biodiversity. The beauty of nature is vanishing day by day and the life cycles of animals are losing their rhythm. A world meant for peaceful living is becoming unbearably hot and the layers of the atmosphere abnormal. Unchecked tree felling, deforestation, toxic gas emissions and growing use of fossil fuels are changing biodiversity. In Bangladesh the change in the seasons is noticeable, with drought, lack of rain and heat increasing. In the developed world houses are built of wood, while we have increased our use of brick and stone for housing, filled in rivers and waterbodies, and polluted the climate with toxic gases from factories and vehicles and heaps of rubbish. In the name of modernity we are ruining the natural environment. Keeping the world beautiful and liveable is everyone's responsibility, in our own interest. So we should identify the causes of global warming and walk the path to solving the problem."

Nusrat Jahan Jerin, student, Brahmanbaria Law College.

"On land and in water, plants and animals have their own diversity. Today biodiversity is threatened by many natural and man-made causes. Natural causes include climate change, earthquakes, drought, tsunamis and other disasters. Trees once acted as a shield against natural disasters, but there are now far too few of them to play a significant role. So we must stop felling trees and plant more. Man-made causes include heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, pollution and invasion by species from elsewhere. Many laws and strict measures have been announced to conserve biodiversity, but lax enforcement is making people more prone to offend. Destroying biodiversity threatens not only animals but human existence. Everyone must come forward to conserve it and keep our beautiful, clean world liveable."

Toiyaba Khanam, student, Chattogram College.

"Most of the world's biodiversity is at risk from human use and other activities, which disrupt and sometimes destroy ecosystems. Human activities are directly responsible: reckless use of natural resources, soaring pollution, climate change, and illegal wildlife trafficking and killing. Because ecosystems are bound up with biodiversity, this is a global problem. I think the following remedies could be taken: encourage the conservation and growth of biodiversity; develop natural forests as wildlife sanctuaries; stop harvesting trees from natural forests; and build awareness among everyone alongside government action."

Umme Salma, student, Chattogram College.

"Biodiversity is the main driving force of life on Earth. It means the variety of all living things: plants, animals, micro-organisms and whole ecosystems. According to a UN report, about 10,000 species are at risk of extinction every year (UN report 2022). The crisis is acute in Bangladesh too: according to the Department of Environment, 31 mammal and 15 bird species in the country have headed towards extinction over the past two decades. Biodiversity is not just the beauty of nature but one of the main elements of human survival. Yet deforestation, climate change, modernisation of technology, excessive pesticide use and plastic pollution threaten it. In this situation, young people's role is very important. Not just observing International Biodiversity Day, but everyday work must be environment-friendly. Young people can raise awareness in society, as 'Green Savers' has done. By planting trees, taking part in conserving local species, cutting plastic use and organising workshops, they can bring real change. Young people's small daily steps can be a big tool for protecting biodiversity."

Tanjina Akter Choiti, student, Chattogram College.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.