It is a day to encourage people to make their surroundings safe and clean
LAHORE: The World Environment Day is observed in June every year by people all across the world to raise global awareness on the importance of healthy and green environment. This day is celebrated to encourage people from all walks of life not only to actively participate in the celebration but also to become active agents in developing environmental safety measures. It is a day to encourage people to make their surroundings safe and clean in order to enjoy a safer, cleaner and prosperous future.
The 2016 theme for World Environment Day is “Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade” as increasing illegal trade in wildlife is eroding earth’s precious biodiversity and pushing whole species towards extinction. Like other parts of the world, the World Environment Day was also observed across the country with the aim to protect the environment and motivate people to be causative agents of change against the deteriorating quality of environment for future generations. In connection with this year’s theme, a number of activities and events were organised by different government and non-governmental organisations in Lahore in a bid to highlight the importance of the day besides raising awareness on the illegal trade of wildlife and eco-friendly initiatives for a better environment. Celebrations included an awareness walk, plantation, camping, public briefing, leafleting and a massive clean-up operation.
Modifying how we go about in our daily lives can help a lot. Therefore, we must join hands with the government to save the environment. It’s imperative that every effort be made for maximum tree plantations. If we had kept a check on ourselves as nations and individuals, we could have had a much less damaging effect on our planet. Yet no political movement is more vital and timely than modern environmentalism because we must save ourselves from our own immediate folly.
Syed Ali Qasim
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2016.
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