"Biodiversity is in serious peril. Ninetynine per cent of biodiversity has been lost due to time and evolution. The rest one per cent should be protected," Tharoor said, inaugurating the first National Biodiversity Conference, organised jointly by National Biodiversity Authority and its Kerala counterpart.
Tharoor said a rich biodiversity would itself be an example of the health of ecosystem and environment.
"Biodiversity itself has an intrinsic and spiritual value. It makes man's life interesting and comfortable in the planet of earth. So, its conservation is everybody's responsibility."
Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, said the biggest challenge in the conservation of biodiversity was not the lack of finance but the bringing of all agencies and individuals together for the goal.
"India spends an average of Rs 22,000 crore annually for the conservation of biodiversity. So, finance is not a problem to achieve the goal. But the biggest challenge is to bring together all institutions and government agencies together for conservation initiatives," he said.
He also said the role of developing countries including India had increased in the conservation of biodiversity in the global scenario.
R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Goverment of India and Ommen V Ommen, Chairman, Kerala Biodiversity Board also participated in the three-day event.