Jairam Ramesh to Release UNEP Report on “Green Economy and the Forest”

World Environment Day, 5th June is observed each year throughout the world, to focus attention on emerging environmental issues, and to induce public action. For 2011 UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) has given the theme "Forests: Nature at Your Service" in alignment with the UN International Year of Forests, 2011.

First time, India is the global host of UNEP World Environment Day. During this year, shifting from the past practice of organizing World Environment Day at New Delhi only, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India has planned a series of activities/events/campaigns during the first week of June, 2011, across the country in New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve to highlight the intrinsic link between quality of life, the health of forests and forest ecosystems, and the sustainable use of forests. Long-term survival of forests is crucial for sustainable development and a green economy.

Apart from “Green Walkathon” involving all sections of the society for citizens of Delhi in partnership with the Government of Delhi, to be organized on 5th June, 2011 at India Gate, the other significant feature will be organization of “Green Haat”, involving about 52 partners to showcase initiatives, of forest dwellers, Minor Forest Produce Federations of various states, women self help groups, NGO partners ,highlighting the value added forest products, in partnership with Centre for Environment Education(CEE) at Dilli Haat during June 1st to 5th, 2011, during which a report on, ”Rapid Assessment of the Himalayas” will also be launched on 3rd June, 2011.

Biodiversity film festival for disadvantaged children, general public, prisoners, and Air Force officials will be organized in partnership Centre for media studies (CMS) at New Delhi during June 1st to 4th, 2011 at National Science Centre, PVR’s Cinemas, Tihar Jail and Subroto Park, Indian Air Force to raise awareness about Environmental issues through showcasing of films from eminent national and International film makers.

Across the Himalayan region, in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, awareness programs and Green March, involving School Children will be organized by G.B.Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development.

The North East Museum Gallery at Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhubaneswar will be inaugurated by Shri Jairam Ramesh, the Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests (Independent Charge) on 1st June, 2011.

Highlighting the role of media for Green reporting, an UNEP media workshop on Journalism and the Environment is being organized at Leela Hotel, New Delhi on 2nd June, 2011.

An exhibition on Mumbai’s Environment, in partnership with Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), highlighting the environmental issues of Metropolitan and coastal cities will be organized at Chhatrapati Shivaji & Churchgate Stations during 2nd to 4th June, 2011 to create awareness amongst all sections of the society.

On 3rd June, 2011, tree plantation of forest department, Government of Delhi at Juanapur, Mehrauli, Delhi will be dedicated to the public, as a mark to celebrate World Environment Day, hosted by the UNEP in India, this year. Showcasing the public private partnership, in environment awareness, a public park development by Leela Hotel will be inaugurated on 4th June, 2011.

Acknowledging the role of corporate sector in ensuring Green Growth and Green Economy, a dialogue with business community on Green economy has been organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at CII office, New Delhi on 3rd June, 2011.

On 4th June, 2011, a nature camp for speech and hearing children and Exhibition on Western Ghat diversity will be organized at Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru. Involving the IT Business Community and corporate sector, a workshop and Marathon will be organized at Bengaluru on 4th and 5th June, 2011.

To create awareness among children, a painting competition will be organized on 5th June, 2011 at Delhi Zoo. On this day, a workshop on, “Emerging issues in Wildlife Conservation” will be organized by Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun.

The series of celebrations will culminate on 5th June, 2011 in New Delhi, where a civil society seminar-“Nature and Livelihoods: Women’s Perspective” along with press conference and release of UNEP report on “Green Economy and the Forest” by the Minister of Environment and Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh will be organized.