BIO-DIVERSITY PROGRAM
It was in the late 1980s that the concept of biodiversity became a major concern. This attention followed the increasingly obvious recognition of how human activities had been responsible for the degradation, fragmentation, and destruction of ecosystems and their biodiversity.
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, an essential step towards the preservation of biodiversity was taken. Biodiversity was acknowledged as a crucial part of the sustainable development agenda. The gradual decline in biodiversity has many consequences for humankind. For example, the disappearance of certain pollinating insects such as butterflies or bees makes some agricultural productions more complicated.
For instance, bees are very important pollinators of food crops and without them the spread of biodiversity loses reach. The disappearance of some species can disrupt ecosystems and make them more fragile.
In order that rural people are provided knowledge on issues connected to bio-diversity, ARTI organized one day education programs in 6 rural villages for women in self-help groups. 125 women in self-help groups have benefited through this program. Resource persons from Social Forestry Department were invited to provide firsthand information on the subject. The participants were requested to share the knowledge with other family members and to families in their neigbourhood.
