Aligarh: The Department of Wildlife Sciences at Aligarh Muslim University organized an international webinar on ‘Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change: The Twin Global Crises’.

The keynote speaker Dr S Faizi, a prominent biodiversity expert trained under legendary ornithologist Dr Salim Ali, and Consultant, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, UNDP, Japan International Cooperation Agency, discussed the challenges faced by the global South. He presented a strategic plan for the Global Biodiversity Framework 2022-2030 and highlighted the issues of bio-piracy and the UNDP's efforts to end poverty and build democratic governance in developing countries.

Another keynote speaker, Prof BS Adhikari, Head, the Department of Ecodevelopment Planning and Participatory Management, Wildlife Institute of India, discussed the impact of climate change on the biodiversity of the west Himalayas, including biodiversity loss and land use changes. He highlighted the severe threats to the Baan-Ganga wetland due to pollution and human interference, which led to mass fish deaths and the removal of flora by livestock grazing.

Prof Adhikari pointed out that the World Health Organization reports about 50,000 to 70,000 species of medicinal plants globally, which are economically significant for many Asian countries.

Prof Nafees A Khan, Dean, the Faculty of Life Sciences, highlighted the importance of the webinar as a platform for experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to enhance their understanding of the issues and identify practical solutions.

Prof Satish Kumar, Chairman, the Department of Wildlife Sciences, discussed the severe impact of climate change on biodiversity and the need for collective efforts to tackle these global challenges.

Earlier, welcoming the guest speakers, the Organizing Secretary, Dr Nazneen Zehra introduced the topic and highlighted the key points to be discussed during the webinar. She said that more than 500 participants, including students, teachers, researchers and scientists from across the world, including from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China attended the webinar.

Raza Haider proposed the vote of thanks while Devanshu Arun Agrawal managed the telecast of the webinar.