Biodiversity Heritage and World Heritage Day: Preserving 200-year-old Trees as Heritage in Kolkata

In celebration of World Heritage Day, the West Bengal Biodiversity Board proposed the identification and preservation of every 200-year-old tree in every block of the state as a heritage to promote biodiversity. This initiative seeks to prevent the demolition of trees that provide habitats for various flora and fauna, making them a microcosm of biodiversity. The proposal suggests fencing these trees to identify them as ancient trees and prevent them from being cut down, which can be done for just Rs 10,000. This approach aims to provide an alternative to the development of biodiversity parks that cost Rs 15-20 lakh.

Heritage enthusiasts have recently raised concerns about developers demolishing heritage properties and trees on the grounds of these properties. The proposal to preserve individual trees as heritage is a welcome initiative, although it must be attempted imaginatively. Author Amit Chaudhuri emphasizes the need to preserve natural heritage along with built and intangible heritage. The West Bengal Heritage Commission chairman also stressed the importance of preserving natural heritage.

Biodiversity heritage is an important aspect of conservation that recognizes the value of biodiversity for humanity. It emphasizes the importance of preserving ecosystems, habitats, and species that are threatened with extinction due to human activities. World Heritage Day celebrates the diversity of heritage across the world and raises awareness of the efforts to preserve and protect it.

As the world celebrates World Heritage Day, it is essential to recognize the importance of biodiversity heritage and the efforts to preserve it. 

Here are the top five biodiversity heritage parks in the world:

1. Yellowstone National Park, USA: It is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, lakes, and rivers. It is also home to a vast array of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison.

2. Sundarbans National Park, India: It is the largest delta in the world, with over 400 species of plants and numerous species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. The Bengal tiger is also found in this park.

3. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: It is a unique ecosystem that has remained relatively untouched by human activity. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.

4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: It is home to the largest mammal migration in the world, with over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles. It is also home to a diverse range of predators, such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia: It is the largest coral reef system in the world and home to thousands of species of marine life. It is also a vital ecosystem that supports the livelihoods of millions of people.

End Note By ThinkWithNiche:

Preserving biodiversity heritage is essential for the survival of various ecosystems, habitats, and species. The proposal to preserve every 200-year-old tree in every block of the state as heritage is a welcome initiative that promotes biodiversity and provides an alternative to the development of expensive biodiversity parks. As we celebrate World Heritage Day, it is crucial to recognize the importance of biodiversity heritage and the efforts to preserve it.