May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity.

Biological diversity generally means the variety of ecosystems that host multiple kinds of interactions among their members, and it also includes genetic differences within each species. Species, once extinct on earth, are impossible to be restored, which destabilizes the overall ecosystems and affects the living environment of mankind at large.

According to information, human activities have changed three fourth of land environment and 66 percent of marine environment, endangering as many as a million species of animals and plants.

Today the loss of biodiversity is one of three global crises along with climate change and environmental pollution. Given this, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted at the 15th conference of the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022.

The KMGBF encourages natural restoration and at the same time ensures that benefits from the exploitation of genetic resources are brought into fair and equal use. And it also offers means of implementation to this end and helps achieve the 2050 goals for making humans live in harmony with nature.

The secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has set this year’s theme for International Day for Biological Diversity as “Harmony with nature and sustainable development” and called on the parties to the CBD and all the other stakeholders to work together to check the loss of biodiversity and turn it back.

Dynamic activities are conducted in the DPRK to survey the species of fauna and flora and their habitats on a regular basis and protect biodiversity.

Vital points of biodiversity have been confirmed and the number and area of the reserves are increased, while ecological channels are arranged to link major reserves to areas rich in biodiversity.

A functional section is set in each reserve on the basis of survey and study of the distribution of animals and plants as a whole, including objects under production, and the utility of land, with working measures taken to manage the section.

The effects on biodiversity of reforestation, tideland reclamation and other nature-harnessing projects are taken into scientific assessment and analysis to take steps to protect biodiversity nationwide.

A survey is launched on a regular basis to assess the country’s waterbird resource during wintering and migration in spring and autumn, making a contribution to global waterbird survey. Efforts are being made to ascertain the key migratory bird (waterbird) distribution areas and make an in-depth study to work out a national migratory bird reserve network.

In addition, a project is under way to update the national lists of the species and the endangered species with the help of relevant institutes as part of the efforts to lay the foundations for the management and protection of biological resources in the country.

Ri Chung Song, PhD, chief of the Biodiversity Institute of the State Academy of Sciences