Bhubaneswar: World Environment Day is a flagship programme of the United Nations to spread awareness about dynamic ecological changes, occurring worldwide due to unbridled exploitation of natural resources by humans.
Celebrated every year on the 5th of June, the day was initially observed by about 100 countries with changing themes every succeeding year.
The idea of observing, “World Environment Day”, was conceived in the year 1972 at the UN’s Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment which was held from June 5 to 16 in the same year.
WED was first observed in the year 1973 in Sweden, followed by Spokane, United States in the year 1974 with the theme, ‘Only One Earth’ to make people aware of growing damages to the Earth’s environment through direct and indirect human influence.
Today nearly 193 countries are part of this initiative by the United Nations, and institutions which include schools, colleges, corporate houses, and government organisations participate in celebrating and spreading public awareness.
This year, World Environment Day is being celebrated in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience”.
The concept of the theme is to spread awareness among the people against growing deforestation, depletion of the water table, desertification due to excessive use of harsh chemicals in the agricultural process, and growing water pollution leading to rampant damage of wetlands.
The United Nations declared the theme for WED 2024 through its social media post on micro-blogging platform X on May 26, 2024.
Drought, desertification & land degradation are a growing threat to humanity.
But it’s not too late to act.
Ahead of #WorldEnvironmentDay, join @UNEP and be part of #GenerationRestoration to protect our planet and common future.
Here’s how: https://t.co/ChmzsSwAzS pic.twitter.com/skg9QmCLL1
— United Nations (@UN) May 26, 2024
In an exclusive interaction with Ommcom News, renowned environmental activist Soumya Ranjan Biswal, one of the six ‘YuWaah advocates’ of United Nations India, shared his insights on the WED 2024 theme.
Soumya is known for his extensive contribution towards rejuvenating the mangrove plantation at the Devi River mouth and protecting the sporadic nesting site of the rare Olive Ridley Turtles.
Biswal said, “With the escalating sea temperatures and rise in the sea level, the oceans covering 71% of our planet will increasingly dominate our environment, posing challenges for both marine and terrestrial life.”
Highlighting the importance of the engagement of local communities in safeguarding the coastline he added, “Amidst these changes, safeguarding mangrove and marshlands becomes paramount to stabilize coastlines and enhance resilience. It is concerning that these critical ecosystems often receive minimal attention from local communities.”
On being asked about the role of mangroves and marshlands, Biswal said, “By preserving and restoring mangroves and marshlands, we not only address land degradation but also fortify our defences against droughts and extreme weather events. These unique habitats serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, safeguarding communities and biodiversity.”
“These ecosystems function as crucial carbon sinks, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change impacts. Therefore, investing in the conservation of mangrove ecosystems and marshlands is not just an environmental necessity but also a strategic step towards fostering a more resilient and sustainable future for all.” He signs off.
