ICIMOD celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)-2015 on 22 May 2015 in collaboration with the Pir Mehr Ali Shah, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University (AAU), National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC), and Technology Times at PMAS-AAU, Rawalpindi. The programme highlighted the importance of biological diversity in sustainable development and how globalization and climate change is threatening biodiversity in even the most remote parts of the Himalayas. Officials from the government, non-government organizations, and students participated in the event. Dr Muhammad Khurshid, Director General, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency(PAK-EPA), was chief guest. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAU, and Dr Iftikhar Hussain, Dean, Environmental Sciences Department, PMAS-AAU, extended a warm welcome to the participants. The event was attended by about 200 participants, the majority of whom were women. The celebration activities by university students included posters, an exhibition, drama and presentations on competitive project proposals on this year’s theme of ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’.

Experts from Nepal Forest Action,Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) made presentations on the role of biodiversity in sustainable development. Dr Abdul Wahid Jasra, Country Representative, ICIMOD Pakistan Office, delivered a message from Dr David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD, and extended his gratitude to all partners and participants who made the event successful with their presence. The programme ended with the distribution of prizes and certificates among the winning students as well as souvenirs presented to the collaborating  partners of the IDB. The event was concluded by Dr Azeem Khalid, Director, Environmental Sciences Department, PMAS-AAU, and Prof Tariq Mahmood, Advisor, Research and Development, Higher Education Commission (HEC).