Biological Diversity Day 2025: Living in harmony with nature is not only possible—it is essential

International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on May 22. It serves as a global call to action for individuals, communities, civil society, researchers, and governments to play their part in protecting the planet’s incredible variety of life. This commitment involves respecting, safeguarding, and rejuvenating biodiversity.

The theme for Biological Diversity Day 2025 is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” This year’s campaign highlights the critical link between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. These two universal agendas must be pursued together, in alignment with the spirit of the recently adopted Pact for the Future.

Biodiversity encompasses far more than just the rich variety of plants and animals on Earth. It includes the genetic diversity within species, the ecosystems they inhabit, and the intricate web of interactions that sustain life. From towering rainforests to microscopic marine organisms, biodiversity forms the foundation of the planet’s health.

The benefits of a rich biodiversity are undeniable. It provides us with food, clean air and water, regulates climate and offers countless resources for medicine and scientific discovery. For instance, more than a billion people rely on forests for their livelihood. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about three billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants.

According to the World Health Organization, 75 to 80 per cent of people in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare needs. Moreover, over half of the global Gross Domestic Product is dependent on nature. The biodiversity we witness today is the result of 4.5 billion years of evolution.  

Biodiversity under threat  

Human activity is accelerating biodiversity loss at an unprecedented rate. Habitat destruction, pollution, and global warming are disrupting ecosystems and endangering countless species. Globally, over one million species face extinction. India has lost 90 per cent of the area under its biodiversity hotspots, according to Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. At least 97 mammal species, 94 bird species, and 482 plant species in India are threatened, as listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Biodiversity loss also threatens human health. Multiple studies indicate that reduced biodiversity can increase zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans. Each year, zoonoses cause around one billion cases of illness and millions of deaths globally. Approximately 60 per cent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. In the last 30 years, over 30 new human pathogens have been identified, 75 per cent of which originated in animals.

The economic implications are equally profound. Biodiversity loss significantly affects sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and healthcare. The estimated global economic cost of biodiversity loss reaches up to $10 trillion annually.  

Indigenous peoples, stewards of Earth

Indigenous communities have been guardians of biodiversity for generations. Though they represent only five per cent of the global population, they protect around 80 per cent of the Earth’s biodiversity. As providers of genetic resources and holders of traditional knowledge, indigenous peoples are the most effective custodians of biodiversity. Their conservation practices are deeply rooted in their cultural beliefs and daily survival.

Plants are conserved in their natural habitats and often worshipped as homes of deities. Crop plants are preserved as food sources, while wild fruits, seeds, tubers, and roots are protected for their edibility. Sacred groves are maintained as in-situ conservation sites, where biodiversity is preserved through spiritual reverence.

Indigenous knowledge is critical in detecting nature’s warning signs and promoting biodiversity protection. For instance, the Kutia Kondh, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha’s Kandhamal district uses environmental cues to plan agriculture. A heavy bloom in bamboo and sal trees indicates a need to plant drought-tolerant crops. A high yield of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) fruits suggests average rainfall, while the dry appearance of neem trees signals a drought. Healthy foliage on mahua trees signals the timely arrival of the monsoon.

Animals and birds also assist in weather prediction. The orientation of weaver bird nests (Ploceus philippinus) helps determine wind and rainfall direction, guiding sowing practices. Unusual behaviour of spotted doves (Spilopelia chinensis), such as moving in pairs and seeking shelter, suggests adverse weather. The flight patterns of eagles and birds can predict rainfall, and the dustbathing of roosters during the May full moon indicates abundant monsoon rains.

The Chuktia Bhunjia, a PVTG of Odisha’s Nuapada district similarly observes insects as bioindicators. Wasps (Apis cerana) hiding their honeycombs signal rain. Numerous fireflies (Lampyridae) in forests at night indicate early monsoons. Centipedes (Chilopoda) moving their eggs to safer places hint at early rain. A surge in moth populations may signal an impending drought.  

Indigenous language, key to biodiversity

Indigenous languages are crucial for transmitting ecological knowledge and practices that protect biodiversity. These languages encode the wisdom of the land and its ecosystems. Without them, valuable knowledge passed down through generations would be lost. Cultural and biological diversity are deeply interconnected.

To preserve biodiversity, we should also preserve cultural diversity, and that includes indigenous languages. An indigenous language disappears every two weeks, each loss erasing a unique worldview and centuries of ecological wisdom. Losing a language means losing the names and knowledge of local flora, fauna, and places, along with the cultural significance embedded in them.

Indigenous peoples must receive a fair share of the benefits arising from the use of their resources and knowledge. Despite being on the frontlines of conservation, they are disproportionately affected by biodiversity loss. Their full and effective participation in decision-making is essential. Recognising their land and forest rights, traditional knowledge, and systems of self-governance is critical to safeguarding the planet’s biodiversity.

It is time to listen to indigenous voices and act together for a green, healthy, and sustainable future. Living in harmony with nature is not only possible—it is essential. Indigenous peoples have been doing it for millennia. 

Abhijit Mohanty is a Bhubaneswar-based independent journalist

Views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth