Today May 22nd, 2015 we join the rest of the world in observing International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). The United Nations General Assembly declared 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the Convention of Biological Diversity and to promote and increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
This year's IDB theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” 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 and the relevance of biodiversity to the achievement of sustainable development. ÂÂÂ
Trinidad and Tobago comprises of a myriad of ecosystems and as such we possess one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Caribbean. This country’s biological resources are of paramount importance to all sectors of society. Nowhere is this more relevant, than in our rural communities where fishing, hunting, craft, tour guiding and other nature-based activities contribute significantly to local economies.
In light of the importance of our biodiversity towards the sustainable development of our nation, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is currently pursuing various activities to ensure the conservation of biodiversity.
These include, among others, the drafting of Legislation such as the Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill necessary for the implementation of the three (3) recently approved National Policies (Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies) and the initiation of the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" Project which will ensure the sustainable management of our forests and protected areas.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago will continue to do its part to conserve the country's biological resources in its pursuit of sustainable development!
