opinion

May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity.

Biodiversity is of great significance in the sustainable development of the economy and environmental protection in each country, and performs an important function in the protection of global ecological environment.

However, there has recently been a big change in biodiversity as biological species dwindle at a fast rate due to extreme climate change, various consequent natural disasters, sudden population growth and excessive use of natural resources.

According to data available, biodiversity has been severely damaged in the regions where more than 70% of the world population lives.

In the last half a century, there was environmental change in 75% of land and 66% of sea, and the global wetland area has decreased by 35% since 1970.

More than 900 biological species have become extinct on the earth due to the destruction of their habitats.

The number of wild animals has decreased by two-thirds, and more than 33% of marine mammals are on the verge of extinction.

Scientists of different countries warned long ago that climate change might have a negative impact on the current biodiversity, leading to unpredictable consequences on mankind.

The reduction in biological resources is a great loss of resource and poses a threat to human existence. The reality urgently demands that active efforts should be made to protect biodiversity for the sustainable development of humankind.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at the CBD’s 15th Conference of the Parties in December 2022. The framework includes four outcome-oriented goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets to be reached by 2030.

The theme of International Day of Biodiversity of this year is "Be Part of the Plan” which calls on everyone to play their role in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The DPRK conducts positive activities to conserve biodiversity.

It pushes ahead with the protection of land and environment, which can be called the foundation of biodiversity, according to the national mid- and long-term green growth plan.

It also positively improves its forest ecological environment and conserves forest biodiversity through a dynamic forest restoration campaign.

Beautiful landscapes are being created in streets and villages, and parks and pleasure grounds are being built splendidly to improve urban ecological environment.

Meanwhile, projects are going on to put water management on a scientific basis, including the one for perfecting the irrigation control system by correctly estimating water adjustment capacity of basins and creating buffer points on the basis of the estimation.

Overall reserves, such as biosphere, migratory bird (wetlands), wildlife, plant and marine resources reserves, are being surveyed and evaluated and the area of them has been increased stage by stage.

According to a field survey of the waterfowl wintering in the DPRK in January this year, different globally endangered species were observed in 70 wetland areas on the east and west coasts and inland areas.

In March thousands of birds belonging to globally endangered species including swan geese and white-naped and hooded cranes were seen at the Mundok migratory bird reserve on the west coast of Korea and blackfaced spoonbills and Numenius madagascariensis were noticed at more than 1 percent level of their global populations at the September 18 reservoir migratory bird reserve.

It was estimated that about 30 species of water birds numbering more than 90 000 temporarily stay in the Kumya migratory bird reserve and other major migratory bird sanctuaries on the east coast of Korea.

The conservation of biodiversity and sustainable economic development of the country are firmly guaranteed by different laws and enforcement regulations including the laws on environmental protection, the protection of useful animals, nature reserve and the protection of scenic spots and natural monuments.