Ants of India  

CIBODAS DECLARATION ON ESTABLISHING AN INSECT BIODIVERSITY NETWORK IN ASIA 2009

During the ANeT Conference held at Cibodas Botanical Garden, Cianjur-West Java, Indonesia from 27^th – 30^th November 2009, the pressing need was felt to develop an insect biodiversity network in Asia. Due to ongoing anthropogenic activities many natural forest ecosystems are threatened, and as insects form a major component of these important ecosystems, urgent action is needed to conserve this vanishing insect biodiversity. For this reason an Insect Biodiversity Network is hereby established with the involvement of various Asian and international institutions, including universities and NGOs, and leading researchers.

MISSION/OBJECTIVES

1. To enhance the contribution of partner institutions to insect biodiversity conservation, through capacity building in taxonomy, ecology, conservation biology and policy influence
2. To facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, tools, techniques and voucher specimens between partner institutions and individuals
3. To facilitate collaborative research among partner individuals and institutions
4. To facilitate the exchange of faculty, researchers and students between partner institutions
5. To encourage more institutions / NGOs / eminent researchers to be active members of the network