Kathmandu, June 5: Today is June 5 or World Environment Day. The day is being celebrated in different countries of the world with the slogan ‘Alleviating plastic pollution: our responsibility’. It is also being marked in different parts of the country by organizing different programmes.
The United Nations (UN) has called for the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5 every year since 1973. Today, this day is being celebrated in South Korea with a special programme, as stated by the United Nations.
According to the United Nations, 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced in Earth every year, with only 10 percent of the waste being recycled, and 11 million tons of plastic being discharged into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Today is also the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. This day has been observed since 2017, at the invitation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). To address the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared 5 June as the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
The FAO emphasizes that the trend of illegal fishing must be ended to achieve sustainable development goals. Every year, 11 million to 26 million tons of fish are caught illegally, resulting in loss of billions of dollars, the FAO reported.
President calls for adopting nature-friendly lifestyle
Meanwhile, President Ramchandra Paudel has emphasized on adopting nature-friendly lifestyle. President Paudel said this in his message of best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of the World Environment Day.
“The haphazard and unscientific use of plastic polymers has created plastic waste, which is becoming a challenging environmental issue. In accordance with the concept that development and the environment are complementary to each other, I sincerely urge everyone to adopt a nature-oriented lifestyle and promote activities for environmental improvement”, Prez Paudel noted.
On the World Environment Day being marked with the slogan ‘Reducing Plastic Pollution: Our Responsibility’, now is the time to pledge for the improvement of environment around our homes, making ecological relationships between forests, water, vegetation, agriculture, and wildlife live and meaningful and uphold every citizen’s right to live in a clean and healthy environment, the message reads.
The President has emphasized the need for all of us to focus on how to maintain interdependent relationships between the environment and nature sustainable, urging all Nepali sisters and brothers to unite and engage in activities to improve the environment while reducing pollution caused by plastic use.
He also expressed gratitude to all associated actors, including government and non-government organizations, development partners, and others involved in the profound responsibility of environmental conservation and enhancement, President Paudel wished that the day may provide additional solidarity and enthusiasm for the implementation of the matters that Nepal has raised in various national and international forums and the commitments made to mitigate the environmental impacts arising from air, water, and land pollution. #nepal #environment #pollution
