May 22 was proclaimed as International Day for Biological Diversity by United Nations for creating awareness about budding biodiversity issues across the world. The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat encourages different organizations over the world to observe this day and promote biodiversity issues among the masses.
Various programs are organized by National Biodiversity Authority of India all over the country with the aid of different Government Departments, NGOs, academic institutions and Indian Council of Agriculture Research.
May 22 is not observed as International Day for Biological Diversity or World Biodiversity day right from 1993, the year of its declaration by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly rather the original date was Dec 29 until 2000. The date of International Day for Biological Diversity was changed to May 22 in 2000 by officials of United Nations.
Every year the celebrations for International Day for Biological Diversity or World Biodiversity day are based on the particular theme decided by the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). Themes for International Day for Biological Diversity for next two consecutive years are:
2010 - Biodiversity for Development
2011 – Biodiversity and Forests
Indian bodies involved in making the program on International Day for Biological Diversity successful one are National Biodiversity Authority of India, Indian Council of Agriculture Research and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Different programs include paper presentations of expert scientists, brain storming discussions of dignitaries of ministry of Environment and Forests.