World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June every year and is the key vehicle of the United Nations that promotes awareness and action for the preservation of the environment. World Environment Day, first celebrated in 1973, is an international event in which more than 143 nations participate. Every year, the program has given companies, NGOs, communities, governments, and celebrities a subject of focus and a platform to promote environmental problems.

In this article, let us know about World Environment Day, the importance of World Environment Day, the theme and objectives of World Environment Day, the LiFE Movement, and other initiatives of the Indian Government as required for the UPSC Examination since the topic is important from the context of the Environment section which is a part of UPSC mains GS 3 paper and prelims GS paper 1.

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What is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day is a global event celebrated every year on June 5th. It is an initiative led by the United Nations (UN). It is a special day observed worldwide to focus on environmental issues. It helps raise awareness and promote action for the protection of the environment. It serves as a platform for communities to come together and address environmental challenges.

• The primary objective of World Environment Day is to raise awareness about environmental issues.
• World Environment Day aims to encourage communities to take action to protect the environment.
• It helps advocate for policy changes and promote environmental policies at local, national, and international levels.
• The day aims to engage young people and communities in environmental activities.
• World Environment Day promotes international cooperation among countries to address global environmental issues. It encourages countries to work together and share knowledge.

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World Environment Day 2025

Every time you sip water from a plastic bottle or toss a plastic wrapper, a part of it might end up in a river, an ocean or even in your own body. Over the years, plastic has silently crept into every corner of our planet, from the deepest oceans to the food we eat and the air we breathe. This World Environment Day is a time for the world to come together to protect our planet. It is observed every year on June 5 and is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2025, the Republic of Korea is hosting the global celebrations. This year the day will focus on ending plastic pollution.

• This year, World Environment Day will be observed on June 5, with a special focus on ending plastic pollution. 
• The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is "Beat Plastic Pollution". This campaign aims to mobilize communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions to end plastic pollution.
• Led by UNEP since 1973, it's the world’s largest platform for environmental action.
• India backs global efforts via Basel Convention, G20 Osaka Vision and High Ambition Coalition.
• Plastic Waste Rules 2021 ban single-use items and regulate plastic carry bags.
• EPR Portal holds producers accountable; 103 lakh tonnes plastic waste processed till Dec. 2024. 
• India Plastic Challenge and National Expo promote plastic alternatives. Plastic Parks and CSIR tech turn waste into fuel and recyclable products.
• Swachh Bharat Mission boosts rural and urban plastic waste management.
• Kamalpur and Trichy show success with compostable bags and cloth bag drives.
• India drives a plastic-free future through policy, innovation and public action.

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Insights on World Environment Day 2024

• World Environment Day 2024, slated for June 5th, will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
• The chosen theme for this year is "Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience." 
• The global community grapples with the escalating challenges posed by environmental degradation. This event serves as a crucial platform for fostering awareness and advocating for sustainable practices. 
• The World Environment Day 2024 is poised to unite nations in addressing these pressing concerns.

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Insights on World Environment Day 2023

• Theme: "Only One Earth" - It highlighted the need for urgent action to protect our planet and build a sustainable future.
• It focused on global cooperation and partnerships across governments, businesses, and individuals.
• Restoration of ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and pollution reduction were key areas of discussion.
• Increased awareness of environmental challenges and a renewed commitment to sustainable practices were achieved.
• However, implementing lasting change and overcoming obstacles remain crucial.

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Why Is World Environment Day Celebrated?

Why is World Environment Day celebrated? It is observed every year on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage action for protecting the environment. The day is celebrated globally to highlight critical environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. It serves as a platform for individuals, communities, and governments to commit to eco-friendly practices and sustainable living. Why is World Environment Day celebrated is important for educating people about their role in preserving nature for future generations and promoting a greener planet.

Importance of World Environment Day

People all over the world can use World Environment Day as a platform to take part in a number of campaigns to raise awareness about environmental protection. This day is observed with a unique theme and slogan that refers to the most pressing environmental issue of the moment.

• This day serves as a reminder of the collective power of citizens to affect good change by making wiser personal decisions and resisting corporate and governmental policies that harm our biosphere.
• It calls for prompt action to address pressing global concerns like pollution, the plight of the oceans, the increase in human population, global warming, the protection of wildlife and forests, and, most crucially, sustainable development through the security of the planet's natural resources.
• It requests research and development plans that recognize alternative energy sources as significant future energy suppliers. People, groups, organizations, schools, NGOs, and volunteers are urged to inform the public about these major topics.
• The commemoration of this day gives us the chance to strengthen the foundation for informed opinion and responsible behavior on the part of people, businesses, and communities in terms of protecting and enriching the environment.

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Initiatives of the Indian Government to Conserve Environment

The Indian Government has launched several initiatives to conserve the environment, focusing on sustainable development and biodiversity protection. Key efforts include afforestation, pollution control, and promotion of clean energy. Below are some of the initiatives from the government of India toward conserving the environment:

Namami Gange Programme

• This is an integrated conservation mission with a budget of Rs. 20,000 crores, which was introduced in 2014.
• The National River Ganga's protection and rejuvenation, as well as the reduction of pollution, are the program's goals.
• State Program Management Groups (SPMGs) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) are in charge of implementing the program at the state and national levels, respectively.

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)

• The Atal Bhujal Yojana, which was introduced on December 25, 2019, the 95th anniversary of the birth of the former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, intends to enhance groundwater management over five years in seven Indian states.
• Seventy-eight districts, 193 blocks, and 8350 gram panchayats have been included in the Rs. 6,000 crore scheme.
• The districts in seven priority states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are where the program is being implemented.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti is in charge of carrying out the program, which is being financed equally (50:50) by the World Bank and the Government of India.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was introduced on October 2, 2014, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth, with the goal of eradicating open defecation and enhancing solid management.
• The mission was divided into an urban and a rural one. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation administers the mission in rural areas, while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs oversees it in urban areas.
• The mission's initial phase was concluded in October 2019. The mission's second phase will last until 2024–2025.

Nagar Van Scheme

• The Nagar Van Scheme, which was introduced in commemoration of World Environment Day 2020, seeks to create 200 Urban Forests across India in the succeeding five years.
• Either existing forest land or free land provided by local authorities across India would be used for development.
• The prototype for the program is the Warje Urban Forest in Pune, Maharashtra. The CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds the program.

Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP)

• The GSDP, which was introduced on May 15, 2018, seeks to train more than 5.5 lakh workers across India in the environment and forestry sectors.
• The initiative will support the achievement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), and Waste Management Rules (2016).

Jal Jeevan Mission

• By 2024, every rural household will have access to 55 liters of water per person per day through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC), according to the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019.
• The mission outlays an amount of Rs 3,50,000 crores. The pattern of fund sharing among the centers and states for the Himalayan and North-Eastern States is 90:10, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for UTs.

National Clean Air Programme

• Launched in January 2019, it has a five-year goal of cutting air pollution by at least 20–30%, considering 2017 as a baseline.
• By 2024, the mission hopes to have at least 20% fewer coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particles in the air.

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Interesting Facts of World Environment Day

The below table highlights some of the significant facts related to World Environment Day.

We hope that all your doubts regarding World Environment Day have been addressed after reading this article. Testbook offers excellent quality study material for various competitive exams. Be successful in your UPSC exam preparations by downloading and using the Testbook App right away!