The Hindu : National : 'Biodiversity better understood now'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004

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National

'Biodiversity better understood now'

By G. Venkataramani

Dr. Peter E. Kenmore

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. "Every bit we eat depends on biodiversity, and we have come to understand it better now. Governments and civil societies are taking a more active role to protect, utilise and conserve it for generations to come," said Peter E. Kenmore, Chairman of the Biodiversity Working Group of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Rome.

The FAO's theme for the World Food Day (October 16) is "Biodiversity and Food Security." "Biodiversity has three broad dimensions and the most important one is the ecosystem services. The second dimension is poverty alleviation, especially in the marginalised communities in the least endowed regions. The third is to do with global framework for agro-biodiversity," said Dr. Kenmore in a recent interview.

Role of pollinators

"In the ecosystem services, the role of pollinators has come to be increasingly realised. The total value added to our agricultural production through these beneficial biological agents is over $50 billions.

If we disrupt these pollinators due to excessive use of pesticides and other pollutants, agricultural production, especially of high value vegetables, will fall sharply. The nutrient recycling also depends heavily on bacteria and fungi. The role of natural enemies of crop pests in pest management is also quite significant.

The value of this ecosystem services is put at $100 to 200 billions," he said.

Over 90 per cent of the crop pests are effectively managed by these natural services, and the rest had to be managed through other integrated pest management strategies.

Successful implementation of such ecosystem services in pest management is witnessed in the cultivation of sugarcane, coconut and rice, Dr. Kenmore said.

Highlighting the importance of biodiversity in alleviating poverty, especially of victims of civil war and pandemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, Dr. Kenmore said this population did not have any other source of livelihood and even social capital.

But they could harness their natural capital — the traditional plant and animal biodiversity to get high quality food for meeting their protein and vitamin needs.

Endangered species

"Our agro biodiversity, the plants and animals selected and protected over eons, has shrunk. Less than 20 species of plants account for over 90 per cent of our food supply. Of these four go to meet 60 per cent of calories. Similarly, 14 domesticated species of animals provide 90 per cent of our food supply, and many of them, including 20 per cent of fish species, are now endangered," he said.

There are more international biodiversity treaties now calling for sustainable use and conservation of this valuable genetic treasure. "The International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture came in to force last June. This is the first international law that respects farmers' rights in the right spirit," said Dr. Kenmore.

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