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All this story-type compilation of Biodiversity knowledge for children is written in our National Language Urdu .This is time to act for the publications and distribution of this literary work throughout Pakistan to produce the perfect guardians of our natural heritage.
What is Biodiversity?
Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.
1. Importance of Biodiversity:
Extinction is although a part of nature but we human being can slow down it by taking appropriate measures. But this time, species are becoming extinct at a rate many times faster, some scientists say 10,000 times faster-than ever before. Roughly 10,000 to 25,000 species are disappearing each year, dozens per day, and unlike the five previous extinction spasms, this one isn't being caused by environmental change, but by the actions of our own species, Homo sapiens, we humans.
economic as well as for ecological reasons. The alarming loss of habitats and species, and the ecosystem processes dependent on them has stimulated conservationists around the globe to share knowledge and resources to document and monitor in an attempt to reverse the planets declining wealth.
Pakistan. Table : Animal Biodiversity of Pakistan Category Total No. of Species *Mammals 195 Birds 666 Reptiles 174 Fish 525 Amphibians 16 Invertebrates 2000+ Endemic 5 0 15 36 2 unknown
Pakistan has a number of the worlds rarest animals like Indus River dolphin, Snow leopard, Western Tragopan, Markhor, etc. There are total of five endemics, two species and three sub-species namely the Indus Dolphin, Woolly Flying Squirrel, Balochistan Black Bear, Wild Goat and Punjab Urial. All these and other species are in decline due to a combination of threats such as habitat loss and overuse of natural resources.
ii. Biodiversity Education with respect to its past and present with special reference to Students Pakistan has no tradition of methodical and systematic Education which targeting Environmental and Biodiversity issues of our national concern. In the past 63 years there is no significant literature has been produced on Environment & biodiversity especially for Students (which target a certain age group). Some literary persons made a few attempts to inform the Students in non-scientific manners. We can point out many examples of this type of disinformation. Even in curriculum we are totally blank and this situation is causing a colossal havoc for us all. iii. Why Bio-diversity Education is so vital for the Students. Biodiversity education is extremely vital for the Students. It teaches children & Youngs the importance and the threats to biodiversity, and the actions they can take to sustain it. . We have analyzed and observed that Students can play a pivotal role in protecting the environment because they are in blooming age. It is a crystalclear fact that little angels can learn more than in their adolescent period. If we are successful in arousing their potentialities, there will be revolutionary and everlasting impacts on the masses .We will have to move forward with the optimistic ray of hope .Our utter neglect may observe the calamities one-day that will be tormenting movements for us. Repentance can never compensate the loss. We
hope that one day they will be able to save the next young generation from the cruel clutches of destruction of natural beauty if they are properly informed today. iv. Appropriate Solution. With this goal in mind, we identified the possible solution of Biodiversity Education for the specific age group of 7-15 years specially and for adults generally for our country. By providing Biodiversity Education we can teach children the importance of conserving our natural heritage. There is an exceptional need for such educational material that reaches the elementary, middle and secondary school students. Real life experiences along with structured educational opportunities provide a tangible context for learning Biodiversity concepts. These types of experiences also cultivate crucial social skills that will benefit these youth well into the future. This Biodiversity Educational portal will also help environmental organizations, government, media, academic, and educational institutions, which are working in this field. This Portal contains more than 500 short stories, slogans, and poems. v. Forms/Kinds of Information 1. Short Book or Handbook: A short book contains 10 to 15 short stories which provide a best chance to the reader to read it in a single sitting. 2. Library Edition: Library editions contains 150 to 180 short stories, and provide a life long durability it also encourages the reading habits of the students. A book is durable than the pyramids of Egypt. 3. Poster: A poster is also long life and a vital and cheap source of information. It allows hundreds of individuals to get a chance to access and read. 4. Puppet Shows 5. Field Trips/Activities 6. Formation of Green Clubs 7. Formation of Natural History Museum 8. Curriculum Development
vi. Why we are targeting a Specific age group. We have analyzed and observed that students (7-15 Years) can play a pivotal role in protecting the environment because they are in blooming age. It is a crystalclear fact that little angels can learn more than in their adolescent period. Adulthood has its own physical and psychological limitations. The aim of our life time work is to build stronger ties between the nature and kids as pioneer of future. The development of trust and interdependence between the youth Biodiversity awareness will provide them a new way of addressing issues in their lives and after this they will be in position to guard our natural heritage as true rangers.
Summary PAKISTAN
Primar 1,523,497 2,229,799 3,753,296 5,177,398 3,529,558 y 8,706,95 6 6,700,89 5,759,35 5 7 1,855,504 825,093 38,477 1,023,84 5 434,696 37,535
As shown on the above table total numbers of enrolment in primary, middle, and secondary levels are more than 36.9 million. It is huge figure of beneficiaries of this type of literary effort. It is a suitable time for us to move forward with optimistic ray of hope. We hope that one day they will be able to save the next young generation from the cruel clutches of destruction of natural beauty if they are properly informed today.
viii. Duty of a Biodiversity Writer. The work of biodiversity writer is multifaceted and creatively challenging. In the words of current Scientists, "Environmental educators interpret nature and its role in simple way. The writer should focus the values of sustainable living and respect for earth processes by teaching ecological principles in a way that everyone can understand and apply them to their lives especially the target age group. The writer should teach about the place in which people live, the community, and how human behaviors impact the health of that place", in very interesting, simple, and with carrying the following 5 major skills to his mind, a) b) c) d) e) Empathy Critical Thinking Creativity Communication Information Gathering
The work demands in- depth knowledge of the environment, a solid understanding of the power of education and how Kids learn, creative educational design and methods. A biodiversity writer must focus the most burning issues for example,
Population Growth and Resource Consumption Global Warming Climate Change Habitat Conversion and Sprawl Exotic and Invasive Species Over-hunting/Commercial Exploitation Environmental Degradation
The biodiversity Literature is must in nature centers, zoos, museums, corporations, aquariums, public and private schools, TV and radio stations -wherever the need for environmental expertise entwines with education and communication.
5.
The Aim
Safwan Foundation is involved in research, education and conservation to: 1. To promote real knowledge to our up-coming generations.
2. To built a solid platform for the students of rural areas of the country about Environmental & Bio-Diversity Education. 3. Recognized that living organisms making up biological diversity which is vital to the earth's life-sustaining systems. 4. Conservation and protection of natural habitats and ecosystems of Pakistan. 5. Education of the general public that the world's biological diversity is vitally important in sustaining life on this planet, and that conservation and protection of biological resources are the duties of everyone. Quote of the Day It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing rather than just one or two stars. -- David Attenborough