BSS, Rajshahi :Scientists and researchers viewed there is no way but to conserve natural resources in the region particularly the vast Barind’ tract to face the adverse impact of climate change for the greater interests of the future generation.University level students need update knowledge about the importance of biodiversity and natural resource conservation and climate change issues so that they can contribute to this field.In the wake of abnormal declining of natural resources like native crop seeds, fish and birds species and other wildlife, conservation of natural resources has become indispensable for addressing the adverse impacts of climate change.The observation came at a seminar “Role of Biodiversity Conservation in Protecting Environment” held at the seminar hall of Institute of Biological Sciences of Rajshahi University yesterday. Wildlife Management and Natural Resource Conservation Department and Bangladesh Livestock Society (BLS) jointly organized the programme in observance of World Biodiversity Day-2014.Prof Dr Golam Sabbir Sattar Tapu, Chairman of Geology and Mining Department of RU, addressed the discussion as chief guest with Mollah Rezaul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation division), in the chair.BLS President Prof Dr Sarder Jalal Uddin, WildlifeConservation Officer Tarique Kabir, RU Deputy Registrar Alamgir Sarker and environmentalist Jahangir Alam Shah spoke on the occasion.Chief Guest Prof Golam Sabbir referred to evidence-based method to support natural resource conservation in the dried area and its prospects and challenges. Obviously, we have to devise ways and means on how to cope with the adverse impact of climate change. Integrated approach has become an urgent need to mitigate the adverse impact, he said.He viewed that many native crops and vegetable varieties are gradually being replaced by the high yielding varieties, which are harmful to our natural ecosystem and public health.Dr Sabbir Sattar also said there were many indigenous paddy varieties, which required less or no irrigation. But, that Eco-friendly varieties are now on the verge of extinction due to wide-ranging promotion of hybrid and high yielding varieties.He added that the promoted varieties consume large irrigation, chemical fertilizer and pesticides, which are detrimental to environment.Apart from this, most of the native fish species particularly the small indigenous ones are on the margin of extinction due to massive absorption of exotic ones.Mollah Rezaul Karim stated that the rain-fed transplanted Aman paddy has now become totally depended on irrigation that triggers huge pressure on underground water table, which becomes a common concern.Time has come to build wider network among the educational institutions and creating platform for open dialogue to initiate regional research programmes on regional problems and solution.Importance should be given to capacity building to address climate change in the region with special reference to conservation of drought tolerant species, Mollah Rezaul Karim mentioned.
