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Scientists to launch biodiversity data bank in Arusha |
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Written by The Guardian
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Monday, 03 November 2008 |
Local and international scientists are currently working round the clock in preparation for the inauguration of Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) in Tanzania.
The facility would render the world`s biodiversity data accessible anywhere in the world.
Director of Information and documentation for Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Theophilius Mlaki said the facility would be launched in Arusha on Wednesday this week.
Addressing a press conference here over the weekend, Mlaki said the Vice-President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein is expected to grace the grand inauguration of the crucial facility.
The inauguration would go alongside with the 15th governing board of GBIF annual conference, the first of its kind to be held in a developing country and national science and technology conference, he said.
``All information and data concerning biodiversity available in the country like birds, natural vegetation, wildlife, fish and insects would be gathered and conserved into GBIF and also posted into biodiversity portal for science and public consumption,`` Mlaki noted.
The local portal would make local biodiversity potential known not only for
scientists, but also to the general public via English and local languages, Mlaki noted.
Mlaki however said they were also working extra time to link science and social welfare in order for the society to appreciate the former as an effective tool in battling against poverty.
For his part, the Director General for Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, Dr Hassan Mshinda, said science was not appreciated in Tanzania.
``Imagine, science is allocated 0.003 per cent of the country`s Gross Domestic Products this is clear evidence that science is not our priority,`` he noted.
GBIF`s members include countries and international organisations that have signed a memorandum of understanding to share biodiversity data and contribute to the development of creating effective mechanisms for availing the data to other users.
GBIF was established in 2001 to take on a special set of tasks that would make it possible for people all around the globe to electronically access the world`s supply of primary scientific data on biodiversity.
``The world`s biodiversity has dramatically changed since the industrial revolution. To understand the rate of change, the society needs access to historical information about biodiversity,`` he said.
``Although there is substantial historical information about biodiversity dating as far back as 300 years ago, this information is on paper and not available digitally,`` he said.
He said, to track the current changes, scientists saw the need to incorporate observational and ongoing monitoring data and make the world`s biodiversity data freely and openly available on the Internet.
GBIF`s purpose is to promote, co-ordinate, design and implement the compilation, linking, standardization, digitization and global dissemination of the world`s biodiversity data.
The organisation is a partnership of over 70 countries and international organisations.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 03 November 2008 )
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