By Chathuri Navodi
As Sri Lanka commemorates National Environmental Week – 2025, we are reminded of our collective duty to protect the environment not just for ourselves, but for future generations. This year’s celebrations emphasize the interconnectedness of all environmental issues—from biodiversity to climate change, waste management to water conservation. Among these, Biodiversity Day, observed globally on 22nd May, plays a vital role in reminding us that protecting our planet’s rich biological diversity is fundamental to sustaining life on Earth.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity illustrates biodiversity as the variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, as well as the diversity between species and ecosystems. Human lives are sustained through the ecosystem services provided by biodiversity—including the clean air we breathe, the freshwater we drink, the fertile soil in which we grow food, the medicines that heal us, and the natural beauty that enriches our lives.
Yet, this invaluable natural wealth is under immense pressure. It is declining at an alarming rate. As per the United Nations, around one million species are now on the edge of extinction. This results mostly from human activities: pollution, overuse of resources, invasive alien species, climate change, and especially habitat destruction caused by deforestation and land-use changes for agriculture and urban development. Each year, we lose nearly 10 million hectares of forest—an area roughly the size of Iceland. Additionally, coral reefs—vital for 25% of all marine life—are disappearing at an alarming pace.
This year’s Biodiversity Day theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” echoes the national theme of Environmental Week. It emphasizes that sustainable development and biodiversity must go hand in hand. Healthy ecosystems support agriculture, reduce disaster risks, combat climate change, and enhance public health. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is nearly impossible without safeguarding biodiversity.
Globally, countries are stepping up biodiversity conservation efforts. In Sri Lanka, recent initiatives have focused on education and awareness. The implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, community-led projects such as the Community Forestry Project, and programs by the Central Environmental Authority are empowering citizens to be active guardians of nature.
Biodiversity Day is not just a scientific observance—it is a call to every Sri Lankan. From the food on our plates to the air we breathe, biodiversity affects every aspect of life. We can all contribute by reducing our consumption footprint, supporting local and sustainable agriculture, choosing eco-friendly products, and minimizing waste.
As part of National Environmental Week – 2025, Biodiversity Day serves as a moment to recommit ourselves to preserving the natural heritage of Sri Lanka. It is both a celebration of life and a call to action. By living in harmony with nature, we don’t just protect the planet—we protect ourselves and secure a future in which both people and ecosystems thrive.
