CITY MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY

The City of Ekurhuleni joins the global community in marking today, 22 May, as the International Day for Biodiversity.

According to the United Nations, over half of global GDP is dependent on nature. More than one billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods while land and the ocean absorb more than half of all carbon emissions.

The city is endowed with natural resources including mammals, reptiles and over 400 bird species, and wetlands. The city will continue to invest in the conservation of this biodiversity.

Over the years the city has raised awareness and education on the importance of biodiversity conservation due to loss of habitat, over-exploitation, climatic change, pollution, invasive exotic species, diseases and hunting.

The 2024 International Day for Biodiversity theme is “Be part of the Plan” which is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.