“World Environment Day: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future”

World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5. It is an environmental awareness day organized by the United Nations and is sometimes informally called Eco Day or Environment Day. The aim of this day is to raise awareness about the environment and pressing environmental issues.

World Environment Day (WED) was established in 1972 and was first celebrated in 1974, indicating that concern for the environment has been present for decades. Today, more than 143 countries participate in this global observance. The day highlights a range of environmental issues including pollution, climate change, global warming, sustainable food production, and the protection of wildlife.

Major environmental concerns such as pollution, climate change, deforestation, and overpopulation have significantly altered the natural balance of our planet. Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues, the United Nations initiated World Environment Day to educate people on the impact of human activities on nature.

Often referred to as “People’s Day,” this observance gives individuals an opportunity to demonstrate their support for environmental protection. Since its inception, World Environment Day has evolved into a major platform for public outreach, addressing issues from marine pollution and human population growth to climate change and wildlife crime.

The day encourages people to become more environmentally conscious, change harmful habits, and advocate for solutions. Global challenges like desertification, deforestation, biodiversity loss, depletion of natural resources, and climate change underscore the urgent need for collective action.

World Environment Day serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving nature. Industries and factories are major contributors to pollution, deteriorating the quality of air and water. This day acts as an eye-opener for many who are unaware of the consequences of environmental degradation. It encourages people across societies and communities to actively participate in environmental protection.

On this occasion, let us pledge to keep our rivers, lakes, and ponds free from pollution and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Tourist destinations should be kept clean, and the use of polluting fuels must be minimized to improve air quality. Forests, which are rich in biodiversity, must be protected. As the revered Kashmiri saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA) said centuries ago: “Ann poshi teli yeli wan poshi” (Food will last as long as forests last).

This timeless wisdom reminds us that preserving forests is essential to sustaining human life and securing the future of generations to come.