MFF Bangladesh outreach celebrates International Day for Biodiversity with children

‘Today we learnt many things about the marine biodiversity. The mangrove forests, under water species like marine turtles, dolphins, sharks are our friend. We need to protect them to save the whole biodiversity of the world’, said Maliha, a standard 2 student of Jaago Foundation.

The International Day for Biological Diversity, held 22 May each year, is an opportunity for people around the globe to celebrate the natural beauty of our planet and to reflect on the essential role biodiversity plays in our lives. The theme for 2012 was Marine and Coastal Biodiversity.

During International Biological Diversity Day celebrations yesterday, MFF Bangladesh outreach brought the importance of the ocean and her abundance of creatures alive to Jaago Foundation students at the Rayer Bazar campus, Dhaka. The event involved an interactive biodiversity presentation and educational activities teaching students about the importance of marine biodiversity in Bangladesh and how important biodiversity is in our lives.  During the celebrations students also took part in a marine inspired art competition and assisted with the plantation of fruit and herbal medicine trees in the school grounds.

The world’s oceans are an enchanting place, home to the world’s largest creatures as well as billions upon billions of the tiniest. There are more living things in the sea than there are stars in the universe. Oceans represent 71% of the Earth’s surface, home to phytoplankton that provides 50% of all oxygen on earth and source for 15% of our daily protein intake.

Biodiversity provides us with water, food, oxygen and herbal medicines but without proper care we could destroy these natural wonders. “The protection of our marine and coastal ecosystems is crucial to our wellbeing.  It’s important that we start conserving our planet before it’s too late”- MFF Bangladesh outreach coordinator explained to the students.

It is especially relevant to be able to teach young people about marine conservation, as they hold the key to the future of our planet.

Jaago foundation is an education initiative for the unpreviledged children in the urban areas of Bangladesh.