KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that environmental pollution could emerge as a common challenge with rapid efforts in place towards attaining economic prosperity.

In a message on the occasion of the World Environment Day today, he said, it is an urgent need for all of us to collectively think about environmental protection and devise our actions accordingly.

"I believe the day inspires every Nepali citizen to engage in the efforts of environmental protection in one way or another," the PM was quoted in Rastriya Samachar Samiti, adding, "it is our responsibility to hand over a clean environment to the new generations as it is their right. It requires expediting development and construction works to maintain social, economic and environmental balances."

Meanwhile, the United Nations has set the slogan "Beat the plastic pollution: If you can't reuse it, refuse it" for this year's environment day. The UN General Assembly had announced the marking of World Environment Day on June 5 every year in 1972.

Nepal's Constitution has enshrined the right to live in clean environment as a fundamental right of citizens.

Here's the full video of PM Oli's Environment Day message -

विश्व वातावरण दिवस (जून ५) का अवसरमा हार्दिक शुभकामना! pic.twitter.com/Ta8WAiGDkg

— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) June 5, 2018