China Observes International Biodiversity Day

This year is the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity, which represents a milestone for preserving diversity of life on Earth. As the world celebrates the International Biodiversity Day on Saturday, China reviews its progress and deficiencies in preserving its own biodiversity. Zhao Jianfu has more.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 to provide a legal framework for biodiversity conservation.

Though countries around the world have made relentless efforts to preserve biodiversity, scientists estimate dozens of species disappear from the Earth every single day.

China became a contracting party of the Convention in 1993.

Zhuang Guotai is director of the Nature and Ecological Protection department under the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

"Although we face various challenges in our development, governments at all levels strictly fulfill commitments under the Convention. We have been actively engaged in the negotiations on the Convention under the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities'."

China is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries in the world. It ranks first in the northern hemisphere in terms of the rich species in the terrestrial ecosystem.

A legal system on biodiversity conservation has taken shape in the country, putting 85% of terrestrial natural ecosystem types, 47% of natural wetlands, 20% of natural forests and the majority of national-level rare and endangered species of flora and fauna under the protection of laws.

China has more than 2,000 natural reserves, which are deemed as the main fronts in the conservation of biodiversity.

However, fund shortage and harsh conditions in some natural reserves have hindered their role.

Fengtongzhai Reserve in Sichuan province, which is called the gene bank for plants and animals, has nearly 380 species of rare animals. It is also home to giant pandas.

However, such a reserve has encountered a shortage of talents. Zuo Lin is deputy director at the reserve.

"We have to work outdoors. The working conditions are tough and our income is quite low. As a result, no one with a degree in zoology or botany is willing to work here."

The shortage of talents and funds has hampered the field monitoring for species.

"There may be unknown small beasts and lower plants in the reserve. But we haven't found them due to limited capacity."

Zhuang Guotai, the official with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, echoes his sentiments. He says during the International Year of Biodiversity, China hopes to promote the understanding of its progress and challenges to both the international community and its citizens.

"How to jointly tackle the challenges and better preserve biodiversity is critical. It will provide good resources for today's development and for our future generations."

For CRI, I'm Zhao Jianfu.