The Hindu : New Delhi News : WWF chief concerned over loss of biodiversity

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Monday, Dec 22, 2008
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WWF chief concerned over loss of biodiversity

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Pointing out that loss of biological diversity poses an imminent threat to the survival of human civilisation, International Union for Conservation of Nature president Ashok Khosla has said its conservation could be the most secure source of livelihoods to eradicate poverty.

In his first press conference after being elected president at WWF here, Dr. Khosla emphasised the urgent need to preserve all three aspects of the world’s biodiversity -- the wide range of species with which we share our fragile planet, the habitats in which they live and evolve and the ecosystem processes that nurture them and make life possible.

“We should care because all living creatures have an intrinsic right to live, and we all depend integrally on each other. The value that species and ecosystems generate for society may well exceed the entire output of our economies,” he added.

Asserting that biodiversity plays a critical role in our food production systems, Dr. Khosla said biodiversity was crucial in the innovation and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and in creating a healthy source of air, water and nourishment to keep us alive and fit. “Loss of biodiversity could be as costly for human life and wellbeing as the threats now feared from climate change,” he added.

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