Saturday, 26 May 2012 20:56, Dar es Salaam, For The Citizen Newspaper:
By Saumu Jumanne
The Mother Nature provides us with various biotic resources, which we call biological diversity (biodiversity). And last week, on May 22, it was the International Day for Biodiversity.
Despite motherland being one of the richest countries in the world as far as biodiversity is concerned, it was a low-key event.
According to the UN, Tanzania biological diversity tops in Africa and the country is among 12 most diverse countries globally.
This is not an accident because after all, the nation has 37.8 per cent of the total landmass -about 33.5 million hectares under forest cover, and 28 per cent of surface area of 945,203 square kilometres set aside for conservation as national parks.
There are a good number of animals and plant species that are only found in our land. And here I have not even mentioned our heritage in marines!
With that in mind, I was a bit surprised to see the Day of Biodiversity marked almost as a non-event. Yet, biodiversity drives our livelihoods and economy.
This day focuses on the increase in awareness and understanding on issues related to biodiversity. It is all about the ecosystem – terrestrial or aquatic (marine). The theme this year was ‘Marine Biodiversity’.
The commemoration is a reminder that today’s species face so many challenges than any other time in the history. Apart from the climate change and its impact on species including marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystem, human activities have been increasing at an alarming rate.
For the marine species, they face threats like over-fishing, chemical pollution and the destruction of the coastal areas.
Yet, the communities around the coastal line depending on marine biodiversity- for food and income.
We Tanzanians should be at the forefront in protecting biodiversity from the individual to national level.
Food, power, income – our entire livelihood and the national economy in one-way or the other are connected to the phenomena.
The need to conserve it for our own sake and the future generation cannot be gainsaid.
We must more than ever use biotic resources – terrestrial or marine ecosystem more sustainable. It starts with changing our attitudes.
It is my responsibility, and your responsibility. The government will not achieve much without our support. At the state level, protecting marine life includes ensuring illegal fishing does not take place.
Remember the capture of a huge foreign illegally fishing vessel in what came to be known as ‘samaki wa Magufuli?’
At the individual, family and community levels what are we doing to save biodiversity and ensure more species don’t become extinct?
Here, collective efforts are needed to fight against over exploitation of the biotic resources. The government should also be pressurised to fight as a matter of priority, all illegal activities carried out in marine or aquatic ecosystems.
After United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) explored the need for an international convention on biological diversity (CBD) which was adopted in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio-Earth Summit), sustainable development aimed at the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity has been a top agenda at the global level.
At home, the level of awareness is wanting. As a nation, we need to look at our awareness raising programmes for the common citizen, to be innovative in ensuring a sustainable use of the species and conservation at the same time.
Use of biodiversity creatively is the key to alleviating poverty. We should never forget that biodiversity is not only for us, but for the next generation as well.
Saumu Jumanne is an Assistant Lecturer, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).