New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Rajya Sabha MP, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, on Friday urged citizens to plant at least one tree as part of the ‘Ek ped Maa ke naam’ campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Speaking to IANS, Shringla said the initiative reflects the vision and inspiration provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also mentioned that West Bengal former Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee was in Delhi for consultations and had met both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

“Today is a very important day. We are witnessing the growing impact of climate change across the country and the world, whether in the Himalayan region, coastal areas, or desert regions,” Shringla said.

Highlighting changing weather patterns, he noted that Delhi has been experiencing hotter summers and colder winters, which he attributed to climate change.

“In such a situation, one of the most effective steps we can take is to increase green cover by planting more trees,” he said.

Shringla added that he had planted a guava tree and a neem tree as part of the campaign. “These are symbolic gestures, but we want every citizen to plant at least one tree, or even more if possible. This can become a nationwide movement,” he said.

Appealing to people to support the initiative, he said that collective efforts towards afforestation would help make the country greener and contribute to tackling the challenges posed by climate change.

The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has evolved into a mass movement with participation from millions of people, promoting environmental awareness and encouraging collective responsibility towards nature conservation.

World Environment Day observed annually on June 5 aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage action to safeguard the planet. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it has become one of the largest global platforms for environmental advocacy and public engagement.

The origin of World Environment Day can be traced back to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. The conference marked a significant milestone in international environmental governance by bringing ecological concerns to the forefront of global policymaking.

Following the conference, the United Nations officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day, with the first observance taking place in 1973.

The occasion serves as an important reminder of the environmental challenges confronting the world today, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources. It encourages individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to environmental protection.

Over the years, World Environment Day has evolved into a global movement involving more than 150 countries. Activities such as tree-planting campaigns, beach clean-ups, educational programmes, and policy initiatives are organised worldwide. Each year, a host country is selected, and a specific theme highlights a pressing environmental issue.

While governments and organisations play a crucial role in environmental conservation, individual efforts are equally important. Simple actions such as reducing waste, conserving water, using public transport, planting trees, and adopting sustainable lifestyles can collectively make a meaningful difference.

–IANS

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