In Mehsana city, a strong effort is underway to reduce the use of single-use plastic. Teams from the local municipality have begun thorough checks in shops, hotels, and food stalls. Over two days, they seized 14 kilograms of single-use plastic from 20 locations. They also collected fines amounting to ₹36,500 from 20 traders.
The campaign is part of the celebrations for World Environment Day, which is observed every year on June 5. The municipal commissioner and deputy municipal commissioner are guiding the efforts. The sanitary branch team conducted inspections near Wide Angle Cinema and various hotels along the highway. They confiscated 8 kilograms of plastic and imposed fines of ₹8,500 on 10 traders.
On Wednesday, checks on hotels and nearby paan parlours on the Nagalpur highway revealed further use of single-use plastic. The team seized an additional 6 kilograms and collected ₹28,000 in fines from 10 more traders.
World Environment Day aims to raise awareness about rising pollution levels and threats to the environment due to climate change. The first celebration was held in 1974, providing a global platform for positive environmental change. This year’s theme is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’, focusing on preventing species loss to restore ecosystems.
The United Nations has designated a host country for World Environment Day each year since 1987. This year, Pakistan is the global host in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
On this day, governments, NGOs, and citizens work together to promote the importance of protecting the environment and the impact of human activities on it. The theme of ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’ is particularly relevant, as plastic waste has become a pressing issue worldwide.
Plastic pollution affects everything, from drinking water to food supplies, and has become a significant health concern. It is essential for everyone to play their part in tackling this problem, not just governments.
Awareness campaigns and events are held worldwide on this day to encourage environmental protection. The first World Environment Day was celebrated with the theme ‘Only One Earth’, highlighting the potential damage to the environment due to industrialisation.
World Environment Day serves as a global platform to bring attention to environmental issues, with participation from over 143 countries each year. It promotes the importance of environmental causes to businesses, NGOs, communities, governments, and celebrities.
The establishment of World Environment Day was a result of discussions on human interactions and the environment during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. The first event focused on raising awareness about environmental issues, ranging from marine pollution and population growth to global warming and wildlife crime.
This year’s theme underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and the need for collective action to protect our planet. The message is clear: everyone has a role in safeguarding the environment. As World Environment Day approaches, the focus on these issues becomes even more critical for the future of our planet.
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