ECOSF Promotes Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in Afghanistan

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ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) triggered and embarked upon a new initiative in Afghanistan- the UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere (MAB)" Programme in June 2015. It began with an international training workshop on the concept of UNESCO's MAB Programme organized jointly by UNESCO (Pakistan and Afghanistan) and ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) in partnership with the Pakistan National MAB Committee, and IUCN-Pakistan for the Afghan National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) in Kabul from 7-10 June 2015. Participants were the experts from NEPA and UNESCO Afghanistan; while trainers were from Pakistan Museum of Natural History, IUCN-Pakistan, ECOSF and UNESCO-Pakistan.

The basic aim of the workshop was to develop the foundation within the natural and social sciences for the rational and sustainable use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the overall relationship between people and their environment in Afghanistan. To predicts the consequences of today's actions on tomorrow's world and thereby increasing people's ability to efficiently manage natural resources for the well-being of both human populations and the environment.

The workshop began with opening welcome remarks by Mr. Paolo Fontani, Representative of UNESCO to Afghanistan. He expressed great honour to be invited to open the meeting. He maintained that these meetings had an enthusiastic group of persons representing the Biosphere Reserves network country members. He also depicted that the purpose of hosting these meetings are to exchange experiences, share information and initiate most appropriate mechanism for Biosphere Reserves management.

Next, in his Keynote remark, H.E. Mr. Mostapha Zaher, Director General of NEPA displayed his appreciation to UNESCO Islamabad and Kabul, ECO Science Foundation, Pakistan National MAB Committee and IUCN Pakistan for the support. He stressed that Biosphere Reserves(BRs) are areas that have been recognized as protected areas and serve to maintain sustainable development. The Ecosystem services have been identified as an important tool to promote sustainable development as well, to improve the livelihood of the people living in and around the BRs. He also emphasized on increasing awareness and appreciation towards Biosphere Reserves.

The President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro in his speech, emphasized on the importance of the relation of Man and Biosphere ad their mutual dependence. He discussed the importance of Biosphere Reserves as 'Science for Sustainability support sites' - special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. He also discussed the importance of implementation of strategies for the protection and to have a healthy balance of Man and Biosphere, that it is the need of hour to devise such policies and strategies that can maintain a healthy relation between man and its environment. He further informed the audience the ECO Science Foundation was an observer member/stakeholder of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and has been participating in its Plenary sessions and also nominating experts from ECO member countries to contribute on various taskforces for different deliverables of IPBES. Thus he encouraged the participants to keep visiting the ECOSF websites for more information and updates.

President ECOSF also elaborated the role of S&T and its contribution in economic development. The discovery of numerous biological organisms and gaining knowledge on their use has brought revolutionary significance and benefit to the mankind. However, since some organisms have dual use (beneficial & harmful), their abuse and negative use can lead to irreparable loss to various forms of life viz., humans, animals, plants and other microbes in the ecosystem. Thus understanding of this adverse use aspect of microorganisms and the risks associated with handling or mishandling them is vital for the global community. President ECOSF also elaborated the role of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) implementation in ECO region for the sustainability of Biosphere Reserves. He informed that ECOSF is launching IBSE with a capacity building workshop in Astana Kazakhstan from 22 - 25 June 2015.

Dr. Soomro strongly emphasized to strengthen existing education and outreach programmes on biodiversity in Biosphere Reserves. He mainly focused on school programmes (Primary to Secondary) that teach the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Promotion of capacity building workshops to support teachers, students, community members, media, professionals and decision makers, as well as the development of resource packages for teachers and trainees. He specially focused on how formal education and non-formal learning can mutually support each other as well as how to better integrate biodiversity and cultural diversity issues in educational programmes. President ECOSF assured NEPA and UNESCO of full cooperation and collaboration in MAB training programmes.

In his message read on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman PSF, Co-Chair National MAB Committee of Pakistan in his address talked about the importance, challenges and opportunities in relation to BR management. He understood that the main and important goal of the programme is to reach the target date for MDGs and to shape a new global development agenda. He also emphasized that the work on BR presents an opportunity to test and showcase best practices in finding a new balance between people and nature, and between people by safeguarding ecosystems and supporting livelihood of local communities.

After the keynote addresses, presentations were given by the experts- Dr. M. Rafique, Mr. Inamullah Khan and Syed Raza Shah, introducing MAB Programme and elaborating its importance, detailed account on Biosphere reservoirs and means to save and utilize them on sustainable basis. What challenges government has to face in conservation and utilization, physical characteristics and potential sites for BRs and Ecosystem services via BRs and interaction of local communities with biodiversity. Also, introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS), introduction to remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) was discussed through presentations given by the experts. Moreover financial aspect of BRs, iImportance of Management Plan for BRs and implementation strategies for Management Plan and role of NGOs in Conservation through Biosphere Reserves was also discussed in detail.

The conference ended with vote of thanks to the participants and collaborating agencies. ECOSF assured full cooperation and support for more development and progress of MAB in all aspect to attain the desirable goals of providing a platform for the stakeholders to learn about the MAB Programme and contribute in the global cause of biodiversity conservation and community empowerment.