Western Indian Ocean's Pristine Ecosystems, Valued at US $25 Billion Annually, Under Threat
23 Jun 2015 | by unep.org
Growing populations and economies in the Western Indian Ocean region are increasing risks to the world's least ecologically disturbed coasts, where ecosystem services are conservatively valued at US$25 billion annually, according to a new report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released on the 30th Anniversary of signing of the Nairobi Convention.
Urbanization and unsustainable fishing and extraction practices are driving the depletion of natural resources and a decline in biodiversity in the region, affecting livelihoods, says the Regional State of the Coast: Western Indian Ocean.
