New Delhi

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 since 1973. It is an attempt to urge people to adopt sustainable practices and realise the need to preserve Earth. Nature is the reason for our existence, it is the source of all the activities that are carried out on this planet.

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It is high time that people acknowledge the importance of nature. From providing vital resources for survival to ensuring mental peace in this fast-paced world, nature does it all. After all, nothing can replace the sense of calmness one feels while walking bare feet on the grass early in the morning.

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It is quite unfortunate, but due to the callous attitude of people, the environment is at stake. Humans are known to be selfish, the ones who put their personal needs before others. In the greed of development, countries have mindlessly set up factories by cutting down trees and not considering the adverse impact that the pollution caused by such factories will have on the planet.

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This has led to several environmental problems such as global warming, loss of biodiversity, pollution, deforestation, etc. Individuals tend to develop a notion that their actions cannot improve the situation as they hold negligible importance in the ecosystem.

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However, this narrative is completely false. In order to change this mentality, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has initiated World Environment Day which is celebrated globally. The theme chosen for this year is land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience.

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This year, Saudi Arabia is the host and will be holding global celebrations. The Pacific and Asia regions are extraordinarily rich in biodiversity which is at risk of land degradation. With the rapid growth of population and urbanisation in these regions, there is a risk of water stress and urban drought in the areas.

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As part of a joint initiative of UNEP and ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), discussions are being held with partners and stakeholders to discuss viable solutions to these problems and come up with a plan for a sustainable future.

(With inputs from agencies)