IBD

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (IDB 2017)

The 2017 International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) will be celebrated under the theme, 'Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism'. This theme has been chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 70/193 and for which the United Nations World Tourism Organization is providing leadership.

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.


Tourism relates to many of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. For some Targets (for example 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12) this is primarily about ensuring greater control and management to reduce damage to biodiversity from tourism. For others (1, 11, 15, 18, and 20) this is about pursuing the positive contribution of tourism to biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitat restoration, community engagement, and resource mobilization. A further dimension is the better integration of biodiversity and sustainability into development policies and business models that include tourism, thereby supporting Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2 and 4.

Celebration of the IDB under this theme therefore provides an opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Furthermore, the theme also provides a unique opportunity to contribute to ongoing initiatives such as the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns and to promote the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development. The IDB celebrations was conducted by TNBB with the theme 'Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism'

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (IDB 2018)

Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity


In notification 2017-144, the Secretariat announced that it would invite Parties to the Convention to participate in the 25th anniversary by, among other activities, organizing and hosting local celebrations on 22 May 2018, the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). In line with the above, the Secretariat is pleased to announce that this year’s IDB theme will be: "Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity". The theme was chosen to mark the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity and to highlight progress made in the achievement of its objectives at the national and global levels.

The IDB celebrations was conducted by TNBB with the theme "Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity"

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (IDB 2019)

The International Day for Biological Diversity aims to raise awareness and understanding of biological diversity and issues surrounding it. The day also serves to highlight possible strategies to protect biodiversity, which refers to the variety of life on the planet. Today, habitats are degrading and leading to a reduction in biodiversity, a problem that directly affects human well-being, poverty reduction and global sustainable development. The International Day for Biological Diversity was proclaimed in December of 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. It is celebrated annually on May 22, a day that commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. The theme of the 2019 edition will be 'Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health'. The theme aims to spread awareness of the dependency of our food systems, nutrition and health on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

In India, the National level event organized by National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chepauk, Chennai. Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon'ble Vice President of India inaugurated the function. In his address Hon'ble Vice President said that Biodiversity is fundamental to the survival of the human race and human being must re-establish the link with nature like our ancestors. Shri. Anil Kumar Jain, Additional Secretary - MoEFCC & Chairman, NBA welcomed the audience and provided the importance of biodiversity in India. The Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri H. R. Verma, the Principal Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri S. Kallolikar, the Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority, Dr. P. Ramachandran and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.The National event was also attended by the Bilogical Management Committee s,school children, NG Os, Government Departments /Institutes/Universities.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (IDB 2020)

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 is commemorated through its first ever online-only campaign by TNBB.

Background


The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues (www.cbd.int/idb). As the global community is called to re-examine its relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few. The theme “Our solutions are in nature” emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. Build back better. 2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions. It is the year where, more than ever, the world can signal a strong will for a global framework that will “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss for the benefit of humans and all life on Earth. The end of the 2011-2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, leading to the transitional phase for the start of other new pivotal biodiversity related decades for the period 2021-2030: the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; The UN Biodiversity Summit (A/RES/73/234), at the level of Heads of State and Government, in order to highlight the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework that contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and places the global community on a path towards realizing the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.

As part of a comprehensive communication strategy, the CBD Secretariat, working with Parties, UN entities and other partners around the world, will commemorate the IDB on 22 May. Each day leading up to it will highlight interconnected topics related to the biodiversity agenda. It is hoped that this roadmap could also be adapted, emulated and used by all countries and stakeholders around the world. All biodiversity-related conventions are invited to contribute to IDB in accordance with their mandates and current situation.

The commemoration culminates with the International Day for Biological Diversity around the theme of action for biodiversity and emphasizing that “Our solutions are in nature”. The TNBB conducted online essay competition for schools, colleges and public in different categories both in English and Tamil and awarded certificates and cash prizes.