Daily Times

KARACHI: World Environment Day is observed internationally on June 5th every year under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The purpose of celebrating World Environment Day is to bring worldwide focus on the importance of the environment and stimulate political attention and actions for improving the environment.

This year, the theme selected for World Environment Day was ‘Connecting People to Nature’ with the aim to reinforce how preserving nature is in fact securing our environment for future generations.

Pakistan Navy (PN) celebrates World Environment Day regularly. This year, the PN also celebrated World Environment Day on June th5. The PN arranged numerous activities to highlight the significance of environment in Pakistan and to promote awareness amongst the public, agencies concerned and departments, especially focusing on marine environment.

These activities included lectures on the significance of the day, designing banners, essay writing, chart making competitions and cleaning campaigns in harbours and coasts involving PN as well as the local populace.

The chief of the naval staff in his message reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to make every effort for the betterment of the environment – especially in the maritime domain. The naval chief emphasised that “our conduct in professional and private lives should be in line with the best practices and principles of protection, preservation and conservation of environment”. Admiral Zakaullah further reiterated that the PN would continue to play its due role in this regard and contribute to the national cause.

World Environment Day began in 1972 is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action for everyone everywhere. This year’s theme invites us to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. Such events play a pivotal role in enhancing the importance of the environment amongst the general populace. The Pakistan Navy has always endeavoured to secure the marine environment for safer and cleaner oceans.