OUAGADOUGOU, May 22, 2020, the Burkinabe Minister in charge of the Environment Nestor Batio Bassière said Wednesday that in Burkina Faso, the level of threat to biological diversity is worrisome.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated under the theme: “Our biodiversity, our food, our health”, the Minister in charge of the Environment indicated that the evaluations made as part of the revision of the national monograph on biological diversity show that out of a total number of recorded species, which is 3717, out of a total number of known species recorded, which is 3717, the threats, all degrees combined, are 350 plant species, 12 wild mammal species, 19 bird species, 24 species of reptiles and 48 species of fish.

As for the rate of land degradation, it has been estimated at 469,000 ha per year.

However, he pointed out that enormous progress has been made in the area of knowledge of biological diversity in recent years. “This progress has been accompanied by the development of good sustainable management practices for which, I pay tribute to our valiant researchers,” he explained.

“I therefore call for more commitments and determination to put an end to this tragedy that is the degradation of biological diversity in view of its strong impact on our health and well-being”, launched the minister adding: “Let us then live in harmony with nature”.