(Vientiane Times) A students' debate contest to mark World Environment Day was somewhat ironically won by the team that favoured development over environmental protection.

“How do we develop to protect biodiversity? Why must we preserve biodiversity?” was the topic of a students' debate held at the National University of Laos last Friday to mark World Environment Day on June 5.

As a call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet, the theme of the day this year is “Many species, one planet, one future”.

One team had to offer their ideas as to why Laos needs to develop while their opponents had to present their arguments on how development could damage biodiversity and the environment.

The contest was won by the pro-development faction, who argued that development was necessary to reduce poverty, and that agriculture must be replaced by industry to increase people's income .

The winning team argued in favour of encouraging tourism and bringing in new technology to develop the country.

They did concede, however, that development had to take environmental considerations and biodiversity protection into account.

Deputy Head of the Water Resources and Environment Administration, Mr Sisavath Vitaxay, said that ensuring sustainable economic and social development was necessary, so the government had agreed that environmental protection and restoration would be a priority.

The government encourages the protection of forested areas to preserve trees, land and aquatic wildlife and natural resources.

Mr Sisavath said that expanding protected forest areas and building public awareness would provide a salutary wake-up call about the devastating loss of wildlife, as many animal species become extinct.

“The debate is one way to encourage young people to learn about economic and social development as it relates to natural resources,” he said.

“Laos must develop to be green as well as clean.”

Mr Sisavath said he believed the debate would help young people to understand environmental problems and see the negative and positive impacts of development on biodiversity.