Kathmandu, November 16:

Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ganesh Shah, today inaugurated a three-day conference to reduce effects of climate change on mountain biodiversity conservation. The conference ends on Tuesday.

Scientists from across the globe are taking part in the conference, which is being organised under the aegis of ICIMOD and a host of other organisations working in biodiversity conservation. “The loss of biological diversity in the Himalayas poses a threat to the security of the region and endangers the world’s global genetic heritage. Himalayan biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate and the time to act is now,” said Dr Andreas Schild, Director-General, ICIMOD.