Canada’s biodiversity goals and targets for 2020

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, recently issued a press release regarding the adoption of Canada’s biodiversity goals and targets for 2020.

The press release can be found here: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=index&crtr.page=1&nid=929529.

The goals and targets focus on Canada’s biodiversity priorities in the coming years. They will guide further action on the conservation and sustainable use of living resources in Canada and provide the basis for measuring and reporting on progress. The goals and targets complement the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, the Biodiversity Outcomes Framework, and numerous provincial and territorial biodiversity strategies and plans, and support the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

The 2020 biodiversity goals and targets for Canada were collaboratively developed by federal, provincial and territorial governments and benefitted greatly from input provided by many organizations. The goals and targets and supporting information can be found on www.biodivcanada.ca. Thank you for your support for biodiversity conservation.

Recent Images from Macoun Marsh- Ottawa, Canada

 Happy little black-capped chickadee

Sharp-shinned hawk

 Common redpoll female

 Sun animalcule

 Bohemian waxwings on winter berries

 Mourning dove

 Bdelloid Rotifer animal

Stentor Protist

FISHERY LEGALIZED IN HAACHU- Bhutan

The national centre for riverine and lake fisheries, under the department of livestock legalized fishing in the Haachu dzonkhags district for the socioeconomic and tourism development.  The ownership will be given to the community and are supposed to be responsible for issuing fishing permits in a sustainable manner. Developmental activities and illegal fishing were the main reasons for the decreased number of fish. 

February 14

http://www.kuenselonline.com/fishing-to-be-allowed-in-the-haachu/

HYDROPOWER IN CHINA

In south west china large hydropower station is planned in the middle reaches of the Yalong River in Sichuan's Garze Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture with the capacity of 3 million kilowatts power generation and a total reservoir capacity of 10.8 billion cubic meter investing about  107 billion USD. The river's hydropower resources will provide sustainable clean energy for the regional economy of southwestern and eastern China. The first generator will come into service at the end of 2021 and the entire station is to be completed in 2023.

February 14

http://eng.tibet.cn/2012sy/xw/201502/t20150214_2281644.html

STUDENTS AGAINST RHINO KILLING- India

More than 200 students including faculties of Assam University protested against killing the rhinos in protected areas of Salichar, north east India. The signature drive ‘Save Rhino’ was carried out along with a memorandum which was supposed to be presented to the State and Central governments. Different awareness and activeness issues were raised for the protection of one horned rhino which is endemic in the region.

February 10

http://www.assamtribune.com/feb1115/state052.txt

GROWING NUMBER OF TIGERS IN NEPAL DEMAND MORE SPACE- Nepal

Successful tiger management programme and effective poaching control mechanisms have led to a rise in number of tigers, with current numbers estimated to be 198, up from 121 in 2009. A research suggests the need of additional 828,200 ha  of protected area to meet the goal of 250 tigers. According to an ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Nepal is being lauded for the achievements in tiger conservation, but the need for additional space and possible rise in human-wildlife conflicts are major challenges facing the country.

February 12

http://www.ekantipur.com/2015/02/12/top-story/as-numbers-rise-big-cats-need-more-space/401581.html

ENCROACHED LANDS FREED BY LOCALS- Nepal

According to a ranger at Bawaiyachor Area Forest Office, a group of locals in Myagdi district, Western Nepal cleared 50 ha of encroached lands of 42 community forests in the district from illegal settlers, through peaceful negotiations among stakeholders. Forest products like firewood and herbs illegitimately and timbers were being used to build huts and livestock sheds. Khumlyamae Community Forest at Bawaiyachour VDC stated that, a minimum penalty charge of NPR 25,000 and suspension of any government facilities would be enforced on those who disregard the evacuation orders.

February 12

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=92025