Introduction
The term, biodiversity or biological diversity describes the biological capital held within an
area. It refers, particularly, to the differences between living organisms at different level of
biological organisation - gene, individual species and ecosystems. The Convention of Biological
Diversity (CBD) defined biodiversity as; ‘the variability among living organisms from all
sources including; inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part’. Biodiversity encompasses multiple values and is vital for the
production of food and to conserve the ecological foundations needed to sustain people’s
livelihood (Box 1).
Besides, sustainable development is; ‘the development which meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. This includes
taking into account the impact of present decisions on the options of future generations. Three
goals of sustainable development have been identified which includes; i) economic well being ii)
social and human development and iii) environmental sustainability and regeneration (Dalal-
Clayton and Bass, 2002).
Development processes and biodiversity are somehow interlinked (McNeely, 2002).
Development paths involved conversion or change in indigenous land use (i.e., forest) into other
productive (!) and economically profitable land use (e.g., agriculturalisation, urbanization,
industrialization etc.) which in most cases negatively affect the ecosystems. Experience in
Brazilian Amazon evident that, construction of a 50 km paved road inside the forest foster the
deforestation rate and forest degradation thousand times higher than that of previous (Kaimowitz
and Angelson, 1998).
Biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh Mukul, S. A. (2007)
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Since, both biodiversity and development are the part of human life in modern era and both
works to make our life safer and comfortable therefore balance should be kept in development
and biodiversity conservation and priority should be given to alternative and sustainable
development paths. It is now globally recognized that the global biodiversity situation is
threatened million times higher than any time of its history. Over 15 million ha of natural forest
are lost in the tropic every year which is more than the area of Nepal or Arkansas in the United
States (FAO, 2006), again the present rate of species extinction is estimated to be between 1000
and 10,000 times the historical (pre 10,000 years BP) rate (Wilson, 1988). According to ‘2004
IUCN Red List’ currently 15,589 species are threatened with extinction; 12% of world’s known
birds, 23% of mammals, and 32% of amphibians are also threatened (Baillie et. al. 2004).
Over the past few decades biodiversity became the issues of global anxiety for its rapid
reduction worldwide and interestingly, most of the economically poorest countries hold the
majority of the world’s biodiversity (Koziell, 2001). It is also widely supposed that the poorest
people of those poor countries, who depend most immediately upon local ecosystems for their
livelihoods are somehow responsible for the degradation of biodiversity and will mostly affected
by the consequence of this biodiversity loss (CBD, 2006; 2007). Biodiversity conservation is
however essential to improve and alter this situation. Biodiversity conservation through
environmental sustainability (Goal 7) is one of the prime objectives of Millennium Development
Goals (Box 2) which strongly linked with its first objective, i.e., eradication of poverty and
hunger. To date, various international treaties and conventions with intergovernmental bodies
have been formed to work on biodiversity issues in national, regional and international level
(Box 3). BOX 2. Millennium Development Goals
GOAL 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
GOAL 2: Achieve universal primary education
GOAL 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
GOAL 4: Reduce child mortality
GOAL 5: Improve maternal health
GOAL 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
GOAL 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
GOAL 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Source: IPGRI (2006)
BOX 1. The Multiple Values of Biodiversity
1. Direct use
Subsistence Food (meat, fish and fruits), medicine, fodder, building materials etc.
Tradable Bushmeat (meat of wild animal), crops, timber, genetic resources etc.
2. Indirect use
Environmental services CO2 & O2 emissions, C sequestration, watershed protection etc.
Information and evolutionary New knowledge, improved diversity & productivity
3. Non-use value
Future options Probable use of plant and animal products to solve a future problem (!)
Existence Aesthetic, cultural, religious and philosophical use
Adapted and compiled from: Kozeill (2001), 22p.
BOX 1. The Multiple Values of Biodiversity
1. Direct use
Subsistence Food (meat, fish and fruits), medicine, fodder, building materials etc.
Tradable Bushmeat (meat of wild animal), crops, timber, genetic resources etc.
2. Indirect use
Environmental services CO2 & O2 emissions, C sequestration, watershed protection etc.
Information and evolutionary New knowledge, improved diversity & productivity
3. Non-use value
Future options Probable use of plant and animal products to solve a future problem (!)
Existence Aesthetic, cultural, religious and philosophical use
Adapted and compiled from: Kozeill (2001), 22p.