The Government’s restorative efforts in maintaining natural ecosystems and biodiversity were highlighted at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of Parties 14 in India.

Speaking during the high-level segment round table discussion on Global Ecosystem Restoration, Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy says ecosystem restoration is vital for future generations.

Dr Reddy says Fiji is realizing that land degradation is a major risk, aggravated by climate change, deforestation, urbanization and economic development which are impacting our livelihoods and natural resources.

He adds that ecosystem services are now more disturbed than ever before and this has impacted the agricultural sector negatively where people rely so much upon for their livelihood.

The Minister says agriculture as a whole continues to be the mainstay of Fiji’s economy, generating incomes, food and nutritional security for all Fijians.

In his address, Dr Reddy also highlighted that Fiji’s rich biodiversity and the ecosystems supporting it were now at risk.

According to recent research, in terms of terrestrial biodiversity, 25% of bird species, 12% of mammals, 67% of amphibians, and 11% of reptiles and plants are already threatened or endangered.