The team of scientists presented their national ecosystem assessment report before the state forest department and other experts at a workshop on 'Developing consensus for regional ecosystem assessment for Maharashtra state,' organised by the NGO Wildlife and We Foundation at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research (BVIEER) on Friday.
Shaun Russell, director, Wales Environment Research Hub, told TOI: "A regional ecosystem assessment, if carried out for the state of Maharashtra, would be extremely important not only in decision-making related to conservation oriented development, but in making this state as a pioneer in this effort. We are meeting chief minister Ashok Chavan in this regard."
The national ecosystem assessment, carried out in the UK and released in 2011, found that lot of ecosystem services like food, fibre, medicines, drinking water, fuels, energy, air and water purification, cultural experiences like nature and wildlife, among others, are being damaged or deteriorating. "Total 500 scientists were involved in this two-and-a-half-year study. Thus, as we have a complete report now on these ecosystem services, the ministers and policymakers have this information available and accordingly can take up conservation measures," Russell said.
"India can take up this approach and adapt to local conditions. We can exchange information and the partnership between the state of Maharashtra and the UK would be a most fruitful area of collaboration in advance of the UN conference on sustainable development, which is taking place in Rio De Janeiro in June," he said. Read the full report here.
Source: Times News Network, Pune.
