“Dae Bushhu!!” “Welcome to Sidama Regional State, a potentially biodiversity rich region” said Ato Shetaye Yumura, Director General of the Sidama Regional State Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority. Sidama Regional State Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority in collaboration with the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) and PELUM Ethiopia held a consultation forum on biodiversity and ecological services in Hawassa City.

“The forum aimed to celebrate International Biodiversity Day for the first time at Sidama Regional level,” Shetaye said.

He called on stakeholders to play a leading role in conserving and studying the Region’s biodiversity, and the associated existing community knowledge, and historical and natural heritage.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Feleke Woldeyes, Deputy Director General of the EBI said that the 30-years old Biodiversity convention was signed in Rio de Janeiro, and now we are able to celebrate the day at Regional and District level. He added that caution should be exercised as population and the economic growth have their own negative effect on the environment and biodiversity.

Dr. Hailu Araya, PELUM Ethiopia Director General of Ethiopia said that “The farmer has a proven track record in practice. Listening to the farmer broadens the researcher’s horizons and it lays a solid foundation for research”.

The Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Dr. Melesse Maryo, said the 21^st International Biodiversity Day (IDB) is being celebrated in Hawassa, the capital of the Sidama Region under the theme “Building a Shared Future for All Life”. He mentioned that raising the awareness among the society members enables citizens to realize threats to Biodiversity, capture good practices, and support Biodiversity conservation by diverse means.