By Trend
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO) has provided financial support in publication of the second
edition of Tajikistan’s Red Book of flora and fauna, according to
FAO Resident Office in Tajikistan, Trend reports referring to
news.tj.
The edition contains 267 of plants and 222 types of animals of
Tajikistan.
This remarkable initiative was reportedly carried out upon
request of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the
Government of Tajikistan. 2000 sets of the book has been printed
and distributed among the Committee for Environmental Protection
and other key partner organizations.
Biodiversity is a vital part of human existence. It supports
healthy ecosystems, which are an important factor for the
agricultural productivity.
The book contains various species of rare plants and animals,
including those endangered with extinction. It elaborates on their
character, habitat areas, and status of environmental conservation,
as well as on the level of threat.
“The Red Book of flora and fauna has critical importance because
it provides information that helps in compiling protection
priorities at local and global levels. It enables genuine
collaboration among organizations dealing with environment
protection,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in
Tajikistan.
The world is experiencing the loss of diversity of species at
alarming rate. Unsustainable practices in crop production,
fisheries and livestock negatively influence health of biodiversity
and ecosystems. There is a notable fall in plant diversity used for
agricultural production: for instance out of 200 plant species
suitable for food production, nine produce 66 percent of our
food.
“In general, education, in particular for rural population, who
live close to areas rich in biodiversity, is incredibly crucial in
preserving plant and animal life,” continued Guchgeldiyev. “We are
planning to work more with the Government on conservation and
promotion of national genetic resources, supporting their access to
local farmers for sustainable agriculture and climate change
adaptation.”
“The Committee for Environmental Protection closely cooperates
with FAO in projects on environmental protection, ecology, climate
change adaptation, water management and others,” said Muzaffar
Salimov, head of Department for International Relations of the
Committee for Environmental Protection. “The main targets of the
Red Book are educational institutions and other relevant
organizations.”
Tajikistan represents one of the most fascinating and
mountainous areas of Central Asia and it retains high diversity and
endemism of flora and fauna. Insufficient knowledge and information
can impede complex perception of conservation issues. In this
regard, the Red Book of flora and fauna of Tajikistan will
contribute to planning and successful implementation of activities
for conservation of rare and threatened plants and animals.
The Red Book should support the survival of plant and animal
species, and enable better livelihoods and wellbeing of
communities. FAO has a long history of supporting biodiversity
conservation and sustainability. In Tajikistan, FAO promotes soil
conservation and resource-saving practices for sustainable
agricultural production. It advocates for the diversification of
production to protect the soil and enhance agro-biodiversity.
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