By IANS,
New Delhi : A host of activities are slated for World Environment Day Sunday, with India hosting it for the United Nations this year with the theme ‘Forests: Nature at Your Service’.
The theme has been given by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in alignment with the UN International Year of Forests, 2011, to celebrate the multitude of services – providing clean air, housing rich biodiversity, supplying water – performed by the world’s forests.
The day would begin with a Green Walkathon, in partnership with the Delhi government at the India Gate, while Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh would be releasing the UNEP report later in the day.
Earlier in the week, the national capital saw a ‘Green Haat’, showcasing initiatives of forest dwellers and minor forest produce federations of various states highlighting the value added forest products at Dilli Haat. The event began June 1 and will go on till June 5.
The environment ministry and UNEP also held a screening of films on biodiversity at the Tihar Jail.
Bollywood actors Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose have also been roped in to promote the cause of environment, facing off in a new video in an Environment Day Challenge – calling on individuals, groups, families and schools, even entire communities – to post details of their green activities online at www.wedchallenge.org/india
Non-governmental organisation Greenpeace would be organising ‘Fools for forests’ campaign Sunday with Bollywood actors to speak on the theme.