Kathmandu, May 25

The government has decided to mark World Environment Day by organising a 10-day awareness campaign from May 27 to June 5.

United Nations Environment Programme has set ‘Connecting People to Nature’ the theme for World Environment Day 2017, imploring human beings to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the earth that people share.

According to the Ministry of Population and Environment, Nature Walk will be organised on May 27 morning from Panimuhan of Shivapuri with participation of students, bureaucrats, various organisations and development partners. The participants will pick garbage across the nature walk route.

Similarly, the ministry has requested I/NGOs, schools, universities and academic institutions to keep their premises neat and clean by organising sanitation activities on June 2. A cycle rally will be organised and Bagmati river cleanup activities will begin in collaboration with Bagmati Cleaning Campaign from on June 3.

Likewise, a talk show with the slogan ‘Connecting People to Nature’ has been fixed for June 4 in Patan Campus. On the last and main day on June 5, the Ministry of Population and Environment will organise a programme at City Hall following a rally.

World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action which takes place on June 5. According to UNEP, this year’s host country Canada got to choose the theme and will be at the center of celebrations around the planet.

“World Environment Day is a day for everyone, everywhere. Since it began in 1972, global citizens have organised many thousands of events, from neighbourhood clean-ups, to action against wildlife crime, to replanting forests.” it said. “This year’s theme invites you to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship.”

UNEP explains connecting to nature can involve all physical senses: why not take off shoes and get feet (and hands) dirty; don’t just look at the beautiful lake, jump in. Take a hike at night and rely on ears and nose to experience nature. One can also connect with nature in the city, where major parks can be a green lung and a hub of biodiversity. Why not do bit to green the urban environment, by greening street or a derelict site, or planting a window box? One could put a spade in the soil or lift a paving slab and see what creatures live beneath.

“In the age of asphalt and smart phones and among the distractions of modern life, connections with nature can be fleeting. But with your help, World Environment Day can make clearer than ever that we need harmony between humanity and nature so that both are able to thrive.” UNEP said.