Rio Conventions Pavilion TV, CBD COP11 (19/20/2012) – Dr Surendra Singh, Chairman of the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board talks about the threats facing the state when it comes to environmental protection.

He says in a state which two thirds of the land is desert, around one third plain-lands and 9% forest cover, biodiversity is important.

Rising populations and decline water resources are all putting Rajasthan under increasing ecological pressure, says Singh. He also warns that the forest area in the state is declining as agriculturalists look for land and warns about the problems facing the state’s existing biodiversity.