Today is World Environment Day. The day is observed every year on 5th of June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. The theme of this year is zero tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife.
The United Nation has called for a worldwide campaign to take a strong action to curb the illegal trade of wildlife products that are threatening the biodiversity of the planet. Elephants, Rhinos, Turtules and Whales are just some of the species that are mercilessly killed and smuggled for their meat, fur, skin and tusks.
In his message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon urged people and governments everywhere to overcome indifference, combat greed and act to preserve the natural heritage for the benefit of the present and future generations. He said, the United Nations and its many partners have resolved to tackle the illicit trade, including by setting clear targets to put an end to poaching in the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by all 193 Member States.
This year’s World Environment Day celebrations are hosted by Angola, a country seeking to restore its elephant herds, conserve Africa’s biodiversity-rich wildlife and safeguard the environment as it continues to rebuild after more than a quarter-century of civil war.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has urged citizens to plant a sapling on this day, click photographs and share it on the website wedselfie.nic.in .
Several programmes are being organised all over the country to mark the occasion.
Cartoon from Ismail Lahari FB post