Biodiversity conservation in the Himalayas: Challenges and Opportunities

Biodiversity conservation in the Himalayas: Challenges and Opportunities

Vortrag von Prof. Dr. Ram P. Chaudhary – Tribhuvan University, Nepal

 
06.02.2017 – 16.00 Uhr
 
Biodiversität ist für die Gesellschaft im Himalaya von ökologischer, ökonomischer,kultureller und spiritueller Bedeutung. Aus dieser Perspektive heraus wird Prof. Chaudhary ihre Einflüsse auf das menschliche Wohlbefinden beleuchten. Um verantwortungsvolle politische Entscheidungen und Biodiversitätsstrategien ebenso wie realistische, erreichbare und zeitlich gebundene Ziele zu erreichen, sollten die Ziele der Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) für 2011-2020 und die Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 zusammengebracht werden. Politische Verbindlichkeiten, die nationale Institutionen einbinden und Gemeinden auf eine Ebene bringen, dabei arme und benachteiligte Bevölkerungsschichten berücksichtigen, sind wichtig, denn regionale Zusammenarbeit ist eine Voraussetzung für den Schutz der Biodiversität im Himalaya.

Prof. Dr. Ram P. Chaudhary
Emeritierter Professor am Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (ReCAST),
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Prof. Chaudhary lehrt und forscht seit 1978 an der Tribhuvan University in den Disziplinen Systematik der Pflanzen und Biodiversität, zudem ist er als Experte mit der Entwicklung von Umweltstrategien, Aktionsplänen, Politischen Programmen und Gesetzgebung betraut. Er hat grenzüberschreitende Landschaftsschutz- und Entwicklungs-Programme geleitet und ist Kernmitglied akademischer Programme und politischer Gremien in Nepal.

WO Geomatikum – Bundesstr. 55 – 20146 Hamburg – Raum 531
WANN Montag, 06.02.2017 um 16 Uhr

Der Vortrag findet in englischer Sprache statt!

 
Biodiversity, the diversity of life at three levels (genes, species and ecosystem), provide ecosystem goods and services. Biodiversity in the Himalayas supports human society ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually. It is a source of livelihoods for people, in particular for indigenous peoples and local communities who suffer most when biodiversity is lost. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted 2010 Biodiversity Target in 2002, which aimed ‘to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss…as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth’. However, the general mission of reducing decline of the loss of biodiversity across the continent by 2010 was not met. Further, the parties to the CBD in 2010 in Nagoya have adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 to promote effective implementation of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. UN General Assembly has also declared 2011-2020 as the UN Decade for Biodiversity. The vision of this Strategic Plan is a world of “Living in harmony with nature” where “By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.” Achieving this vision is a most challenging task despite all countries in the Himalayan region are signatories to the CDB. For conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Himalayan region, the presentation will cover: (i) direct and indirect contribution of biodiversity to human well-being; (ii) need for developing sensible biodiversity policy/strategy and realistic, achievable and time bound targets by harmonizing the goals and targets of CBD, and (iii) need for ensuring political commitment to integrating national institutions and mainstreaming communities, including the poor and disadvantaged. Regional collaboration is very helpful for the conservation of Himalayan biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Ram P. Chaudhary
Prof. Ram P. Chaudhary is an Emeritus Professor of Research Centre for Applied Centre and Technology (ReCAST), Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal after retiring from Executive Director. Over the last three and half decades, Prof. Chaudhary served in the post-graduate teaching and research at the university. Prof. Chaudhary completed M.Sc. in Botany from Nepal in 1978, and obtained Ph.D. degree from Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Russia (then USSR) in 1988. Prof. Chaudhary joined Tribhuvan University in 1978, and has been serving as an expert in preparation of environment related strategy, action plan, policy and legislation. He has conducted research projects from international and national grants, a few examples include from USAID-USA, USAID-Nepal, WWF-USA, National Geographic Society, NUFU-Norway, NOMA-Norway. An expert of plant systematics and biodiversity, Prof. Chaudhary has participated in conferences and workshops in Nepal & abroad, and has visited various institutions in Sweden, UK, Norway, USA. Prof. Chaudhary has been involved as Ph.D. supervisor, faculty teacher, and course coordinator in TU and abroad. He has authored & co-authored four books, edited & co-edited five books, published over 150 research, review and semi-technical scientific and popular articles. Prof. Chaudhary served as member of National Planning Commission of Nepal and Chairperson of Board of Governors, ICIMOD in the past. Currently, Prof. Chaudhary has been leading a few transboundary landscape conservation and development programs and serving as core members of academic programs and policies in Nepal.