importance of biodiversity in the contest of nepal as well as world it is very important for future projection of bidiversity.

1. Importance of Biodiversity
Presented by:
Nabin Poudel
Satyam Chaudhari
CDES, TU

2. Introduction
 Typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and
ecosystem level in the earth or in a particular habitat.
 A high level of which is usually considered to be important and
desirable.
 Includes not only species we consider rare, threatened, or
endangered but also every living thing from humans to very little
organisms such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates.
 Important for what it provides to humans, and for the value it has in
its own right.
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3. Arguments about Importance
 Arguments about importance of Biodiversity fall into two
categories:
1. Intrinsic View
Biodiversity is worth protecting regardless of its value or
importance because it has some intrinsic values.
It focuses on the conservation of all living beings even if they are
ecologically equivalent species.
2. Anthropocentric view
Biodiversity performs number of ecological services that have
economic, aesthetic or recreational value that’s why it is important
for humankind.
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4. Arguments about Importance…
A thing is right when it tends to
preserve the integrity, stability
and the beauty of the biotic
community. It is wrong when it
tends otherwise.
- Aldo Leopold, A Sand Country
Almanac
The natural environment harbors
chemicals, fibers, flesh, resins,
enzymes, genes and whatnot that
we can manipulate, extract,
breed, purify and prime into
products that will cure our
diseases, feed our hungry and
line our packets.
- Nicolas Tackacs, the Idea of
Biodiversity
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5. Importance of Biodiversity
1. Intrinsic/ Ethical value
 Biodiversity has an intrinsic value because it is part of the natural
world.
 It’s conservation is important for the maintenance of natural
ecological processes.
 It helps in the balancing of many natural cycles such as nutrients and
water cycling, soil formation and retention, resistance against
invasive species, pollination of plants, regulation of climate,
recovery from natural disasters.
 Ethical value is based on a respect for life.
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6. Importance…
2. Anthropocentric values
 Biodiversity provides a range of goods, from agricultural crops to
medicines and fibers, to which a direct value and cost can be
assigned, provides us many things to fulfill our need including food,
water, air and raw materials for clothes.
 Human beings are dependent on biodiversity for their health, well
being and enjoyment.
 This value is associated with consumption and production.
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7. Sustaining local food systems and agricultural biodiversity
Source: Aids Foundation, South Africa
Herbs being used as medicine
Source: edu.glogster.com
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8. Importance…
3. Aesthetic value
 This is expressed by humans
seeking contact with nature.
 Natural and wild landscapes
including many animals are
aesthetically pleasing and
provide opportunities to
refresh.
 Biodiversity supports
recreation and tourism.
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9. Importance…
4. Economical/Market value
 There are different procedures to valuate the benefits generated by
biodiversity in terms of market-based techniques.
 Usually market prices can be applied when direct benefits of
biodiversity are involved: i.e. when consumer purchases the
biodiversity-derived good.
 Example: People sell firewood, honey from the wild and they earn
money.
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10. Importance…
5. Political values
 Biodiversity is also politically and strategically important for us. It
ensures the recognition of a zone or country in the world.
 Nepal is ranked 25th and 11th positions in biodiversity richness in
the world and Asia, respectively.
 Nepal occupies about 0.1 per cent of the global area, but harbours
3.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent of the world's known flora and fauna,
respectively. (https://risingnepaldaily.com/)
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12. Importance…
6. Scientific value
 The scientific value of biodiversity is relevant because it provides
many opportunities for research work.
 There is a large portion of the biodiversity about which we still do
not know, which may be unpredictable.
 Still, lack of scientific knowledge leaves an enormous gap between
the current realized values of biodiversity and its potential future
value.
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13. Importance…
7. Cultural Value
 The cultural value of biological diversity conservation for present
and future generations is an important reason for conserving it
today.
 Worshipping typical plants like Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Tulasi
(Ocimum tenuiflorum) and different animals (Some snakes as Naag
Dewata) also highlights the importance of it.
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14. -Dr. Alka Barakat
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15. Biodiversity is our
greatest priceless
treasure. Lets
Conserve it
together.
Thank You
!!