Nisar A. Memon
23-May- 2020 – Pakistan Observer
Former federal minister and Senator Nisar A Memon has reminded nation of International Day for Biological Diversity being e-observed in the world today – 22nd May.
He said, ‘If we had recognized the importance of biological diversity, we would perhaps have avoided the loss of thousands of lives and jamming of global order due to COVID-19’. But he hoped post pandemic, ‘we shall emerge victorious by going closer to nature, adopt our lives in line with natural processes and coexist with other living beings. After all the planet belongs to all and we must cohabit giving back the space of others we have occupied.’
Senator Memon emphasized, ‘We have lost a lot and must reflect how we will repair, reorient and reconstruct our lives to build a future of life in harmony with nature. As the ecosystem affect our health, water, food and life we must rethink how we shall live in harmony with nature. United Nations estimate that globally, around 25% of all animal and plant species are threatened with extinction,’ he urged , ‘ therefore, we must create awareness and build momentum to protect life in this planet.’
He reminded that the countries observe a week identifying various segments for the needed action, but we in Pakistan are too involved in day to day issues without realizing our indifference will cost us lives and quality of life in future. He suggested, ‘Governments in Centre and Provinces could have launched e-visits to zoos, parks, forests, aquariums, museums and libraries to bring citizens specially youth closer to nature, animals, plants, ecosystems which are pieces of the biodiversity jigsaw. With that we would have united the people and also taken them away from the sufferings of pandemic apart from most needed disengagement from current low-level politics.’
The former federal minister Memon said, ‘If leadership in Islamabad had realized that all efforts on bio-diversity would mean healthy living conditions, richer varieties of food, clean drinking water for our people and way to achieve seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) they would have been seen busy highlighting it. He reminded the leadership, ‘they should know SDG-2 is Zero Hunger, SDG-3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG-10 Reducing Inequalities, and SDG-12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG-13 Climate Actions, SDG-14 Life below Water, and SDG-15 Life on Land.’ He concluded by demanding, ‘All knowledge-based societies have programs. Can our leadership standup and tell the nation where they stand on this count of governance?’