Latest news with #WorldNetworkofBiosphereReserves
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Comprehensive study on cards for safe trekking at Agasthyakoodam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to promote sustainable and safe trekking, the State Forest Development Agency jointly with the Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism Studies (KITTS), is launching a comprehensive study at Agasthyakoodam - one of the toughest trekking trails in South India. The initiative aims to assess the peak's carrying capacity, identify safety gaps and conduct detailed destination audits and develop strict safety protocols for the visitors. Agasthyakoodam, the second highest peak in Kerala, attracts thousands of trekkers each year and is part of the ecologically sensitive Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Recognised by UNESCO and included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016, the region is known for its rich biodiversity and cultural significance. According to officials, the study will help formulate protocols for visitor management, safety gaps in the present infrastructure and ensure that tourism activities are aligned with environmental preservation and public safety. Additional principal chief conservator of forests, J Justin Mohan, said that Agasthyakoodam is a place visited by thousands of people every year. 'The safety audit will provide an opportunity for the department to identify the safety aspects to protect the interests of visitors including the accommodation facilities, accidental falls while trekking and human-wildlife conflict,' he said. He said that SFDA jointly with KITTS will conduct a carrying capacity study in 12 destinations including Agasthyakoodam. 'The study will be completed by August this year. Besides this, we are planning to do safety audits and destination audits in 14 ecotourism destinations. This is the first time we are doing such comprehensive studies at Agasthyakoodam,' he added. An official of the forest department said that at present only physically fit people in limited numbers are allowed to trek at the peak. 'We are allowing only hundred people per day and we are doing this after following strict conditions. Especially the individual signing up for the trek should be hundred per cent fit ,' said the official.
BBC News
09-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Volunteers sought to protect the Isle of Man's biosphere status
Volunteers who are passionate about maintaining the Isle of Man's biosphere status are being sought to help guide its progress ahead of a ten-year 2016 the island became the first entire island nation to be granted the title by Unesco and the heritage body will undertake a periodic review in Isle of Man are on the hunt for individuals to join its board to contribute to the island's "journey towards a more sustainable future".Chairman Jason Bissell the organisation was looking for people to "help guide our important work" and ensure it continues to benefit the community, environment and economy. Those appointed would also be "instrumental" in developing a self-funding model to "ensure the biosphere's long-term viability and sustainability goals are achieved", he Unesco World Network of Biosphere Reserves now features 759 sites in 136 reserve undergoes a 10-year assessment to reflect on their Isle of Man's review will be submitted in September 2026, with the outcome expected in the summer of 2027. 'Pivotal role' The board said it would welcome applications from people with expertise in environmental and cultural conservation, sustainable economic development, community and social development, education and research and youth would help shape the organisation's priorities which include protecting the island's natural environment and cultural heritage and supporting a thriving and sustainable economy, a spokesman saidIf selected, they would also play "a pivotal role in guiding progress and shaping the reserve's long-term vision ahead the review", he are open until 2 April. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Zawya
03-03-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Qatar preserves 2,970 heads of nine endangered species of wildlife
Doha, Qatar: To ensure biodiversity to protect the environment and address climate change, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has said that it is implementing a programme for the conservation and propagation of endangered species to protect wildlife. As many as 2,970 heads of nine endangered species of wildlife have been preserved, including the Arabian Oryx, sand gazelle, tortoise, and ostrich. Qatar is making great efforts to protect endangered species, including the establishment and expansion of nature reserves. These reserves enjoy their biodiversity, rare animals, and plants, in addition to coral reefs full of unique marine creatures. The expansion of nature reserves has contributed to achieving great success in preserving endangered species. Qatar is home to 11 nature reserves, representing about 29% of the country's total area. Land reserves represent about 27% of the country's land areas, while marine reserves represent about 2% of the country's marine and coastal areas. Al Reem Reserve was recognised as a human and biosphere reserve by Unesco in 2007, where the reserve was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves as the first reserve of its kind. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change continues its efforts to support private project owners in captive breeding of the Houbara bustard, to enhance the conservation of endangered species. Rawdat Al Faras Centre for the Breeding of the Endangered Houbara Bustard seeks to increase the number of projects for the production and breeding of the Houbara Bustard in Qatar. The Center provides tremendous support and services, including technical and advisory services, and organising training and educational courses aimed at enhancing knowledge of its production and breeding methods. The ministry provides an integrated package of incentives and initiatives to citizens wishing to establish private projects to produce and breed the Houbara bustard. The services include providing unified proposals, models, and designs for building and establishing breeding projects for this bird. This is in addition to providing advisory services, feed, therapeutic and preventive materials, and birds for production, under the supervision of experts specialising in this field. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change completed, in October last year, the first phase of the country's coral reef protection and restoration programme, through a survey and study of 17 sites in Qatari territorial waters. The survey revealed the presence of two types of soft coral for the first time in Qatar, in addition to 40 types of hard coral, and 5 other types of soft coral. The Coral Reef Protection and Restoration Program comes within the State's efforts to implement the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and the National Biodiversity Plan in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
