World Biodiversity Day 2025: We need to act Urgently.

May 22 is World Biodiversity Day.

And this year, we mark its 25th anniversary.
That’s 25 years of celebrating the variety of life on Earth.
25 years of raising awareness.
But here’s the question:
Have we truly protected what we celebrate?

In Sri Lanka, we’ve joined in this global event every year since 2000.
We hold ceremonies.
We plant trees.
We talk about conservation.

But when we look closer — really look — the picture isn’t as green as we’d like to believe.

🌱 Three levels of biodiversity, all under threat

Biodiversity isn’t just about animals in the jungle.
It’s made up of three layers:

• Ecosystem diversity
• Species diversity
• Genetic diversity

And sadly, all three are in trouble.

Sri Lanka’s ecosystems are facing serious issues:

• Destruction of forest cover
• Degradation from pollution and misuse
• Fragmentation of habitats due to land development

When it comes to species diversity, the news is just as worrying.
Endangered animals and plants are getting closer to extinction.
Endemic species — found only in Sri Lanka — are most at risk.
We are losing what no one else in the world has.

And we’re also letting invasive species take over.
With little regulation, foreign plants and animals are entering the country unchecked.
They’re pushing out our native life.
They’re damaging delicate ecosystems.

Let’s not forget genetic diversity — the natural variety found within one species.
This matters for both wild and domestic life:

• Our rare freshwater fish
• Traditional crops
• Local breeds of cattle and poultry

Much of this genetic richness is fading fast.

🛑 This isn’t a time for routine celebrations

On World Biodiversity Day 2025, we shouldn’t just plant a tree and call it done.

We need to act. Urgently.

It’s time to ask:
What are the top threats?
What can we realistically fix in the short and medium term?

Let’s celebrate with action.
Not just words.