International Biodiversity Day has celebrated by the theme  “ Water and Biodiversity “. Water is an essential and integral part of life. No living being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment.

The theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the  Water and Biodiversity is the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in 2013.

In the commemorated day of celebration Arba Minch University celebrates the day in  different occasions.

During the ceremony AMU higher officials and academic staff, guests from Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity conservation, different stakeholders from Arba Minch town were participated.

Coordinator of Biodiversity Research Unit gave the  welcome Speech to the symposium participants on the occasion of Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Symposium and International Biodiversity Day.

Dr. Fantahun Woldsenbet, during the opening ceremony, Moderating  the program

In the opening ceremony, Dr. Feleke Woldyes, Arba Minch University President kindly welcomed the participants from different stakeholders and huge mass of special guests from Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity conservation (IBC). And also in his opining speech he declared the yearly theme of  celebrating the bio diversity and Nature Conservation.

In the occasion, nine different Scientific Research, which is addressing the 2013 theme of the year “ Biodiversity and water “ are presented by different scholar  experts from various public Universities, Research institutions and by the academic staff member of Arba Minch University.

Experts from University of Gonder, Arba Minch University, Jimma university, Haromaya University, Bahir Dar University, Institutes of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) and Minister of Water Energy and colleagues from Ministry of water Resources have presented their scientific papers.

Among the papers,

• Assessment of ramification of effluent discharge from Coffee refineries on river water quality in south western Ethiopia
• Lake Chamo and it’s biodiversity at cross roads: implications of letting business as usual and the way forward
• Eco hydrology as a tool for sustainability of water ecosystem, biodiversity and socio-economic development in Ethiopia
• Threats, Economic value and Management interventions for restoration of Lake Chitu and other scientific papers are included.

Dr. Feleke woldyes , AMU president delivers the Opening Speech

Dr. Gemedo Dale, Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) General Manager Highlights International Biodiversity Day

Events:

• Beside to scientific presentation, during the Tea break time Poster presentation was also conducted.

Poster Presentation

• Meanwhile, Arba Minch University has signed  memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopian institutes of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC). In the signing ceremony, Dr. Feleke Woldeyes AMU’s President and Dr. Gemedo Dale, Director General of Institute of Biodiversity Conservation  (IBC)signed the memorandum. According to the agreement both two parities will work together in the Biodiversity & Nature Conservation Research besides the academic matters.

During the  signing of Memorandum of Understanding

By Geta Fekede Haile

PIR Expert,CCD