Park marks international biological diversity day

PORT Moresby Nature Park joined the global community in celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity on Saturday to raise awareness on the importance of protecting biological resources and global biodiversity that shape the environment.
The park said that it was not only about the various species of plants, animals and micro-organisms around, but also the genetic diversity of each of them, as well as the great variety of ecosystems that make up the planet.
This year’s theme was “We’re part of the solution” and the slogan was a continuation of last year’s theme “Our solutions are in nature”.
The park said this served as a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges in Papua New Guinea and the world.
According to the United Nations, three-quarters of the earth’s land-based environment and about 66 per cent of the marine environment has been altered by human activity, and the latest report, state that more than one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction.
Park manager David Thompson said: “Papua New Guinea is home to seven per cent of the world’s total biodiversity, which was very impressive as most of its flora and fauna could not be found anywhere else in the world.
“PNG is truly blessed with natural resources, diverse cultures and a rich biodiversity which we all have a responsibility to care for.
“With this comes a bigger challenge and responsibility for us as a country in caring for our natural flora and fauna.”
The event was part of the park’s mission to educate people about PNG’s biodiversity.