IUCN Urge To Protect Palms
83% of the Madagascar’s palms are threatened with extinction putting the livelihoods of local people at risk. Releasing a report at the 11th parties to Convention on Bio Diversity Dr. Jane Smart Global Director of the IUCN Bio Diversity Conservation Group states that the figures on Madagascar’s palms are truly terrifying especially as the loss of palms impacts both the unique bio diversity of islands and its people.
Palms are integral part of Madagascar’s bio diversity and all of the 192 species assessed are unique to the island. They provide essential resources to some of Madagascar’s poorest communities, such as materials for house construction and edible palm hearts, Habitat loss and palm heart harvesting are major threats putting these species at risk.
Speaking further Dr. Jane states that plant bio diversity habitat loss is extremely high and it directly impacts with Aichi Target 12 which states preventing of species from extinction by 2020. Dr. Jane requests all countries to take these targets seriously by taking strong decisions at the COP11 summit.
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