PIB Summary- 5th June, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

World Environment Day

5 June is observed as World Environment Day.

Latest Context on World Environment Day –

World Environment Day 2021 – Pakistan will host World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This year’s observance of World Environment Day will be on the theme of ‘ecosystem restoration’ and focus on resetting our relationship with nature.

This environment day will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030. Go through the details on Destruction of Ecosystem on the linked page.

• The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.
• The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. Know in detail about the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs on the given link.
• Led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, The UN Decade is building a strong, broad-based global movement to ramp up restoration and put the world on track for a sustainable future.

World Environment Day – Overview

World Environment Day is observed on 5th June annually. It is the United Nation’s idea for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Here we are giving some interesting facts about World Environment Day.

• World Environment Day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1972 on the first day of United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, resultant from negotiations on the integration of human interactions and the environment.
• Then in 1974, the first World Environment Day was held with the theme “Only One Earth”.
• Initially, it was started as a flagship campaign for raising awareness on budding environmental issues from marine pollution and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
• The aim of this day is to encourage people worldwide to take care of the Earth or become an agent of change.
• World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.

World Environment Day Anthem

• The Earth Anthem was composed to sing in the event of World Environment Day.
• It was composed by poet Abhay K, an Indian diplomat.
• It was recorded in eight languages containing all official languages of the United Nations- Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
• It is also recorded in Hindi and Nepali.
• It was launched in the event of World Environment Day 2013.
• It is supported by the global organization Habitat for Humanity.

Annual Themes and Host Countries

The table below gives brief details about the themes of World Environment Day and the nations that hosted it through the years:

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, World Environment Day 2020 was celebrated digitally. Recently there was massive damage on the biodiversity due to bushfires in Australia, USA, Brazil. There was also a massive problem across East Africa due to locusts. Hence the theme of World Environment Day 2020 focused on time for nature.

MoU for Promotion of Cultivation and Production of Medicinal Plants

Details:

• The MoU will facilitate the development of Quality Planting Material (QPM) of medicinal plants and herbs identified by the NMPB.
• It will also help in the establishment of their nurseries for QPM, development, promotion, conservation and cultivation of the appropriate medicinal plants in different agro-climatic zones, including the threatened medicinal plant species and plants for the high-altitude regions.

About National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI):

• The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) is a constituent research institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Originally set up as the National Botanic Gardens (NBG) by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, it was taken over by the CSIR in 1953.
• It was renamed to its current name in 1978.

Objectives:

• Basic and applied research on plant diversity and prospection, plant-environment interaction and biotechnological approaches for plant improvement.
• Development of technologies for new plant and microbial sources of commercial importance
• Building up germplasm repository of plants of indigenous and exotic origin, including rare, endangered and threatened species
• Providing expertise and assistance for identification, supply and exchange of plants and propagules, garden layout and landscaping
• Dissemination of scientific knowledge and technologies on plants and microbial resources through publications, training, capacity building and extension activities

CEO Water Mandate

What is the CEO Water Mandate?

• The CEO Water Mandate is a UN Global Compact initiative to demonstrate commitment and efforts of companies to better their water and sanitation agendas as part of long term Sustainable Development Goals.
• The CEO Water Mandate is designed to assist companies in the development, implementation, and disclosure of comprehensive water strategies and policies.
• It also provides a platform for companies to partner with like-minded businesses, UN agencies, public authorities, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• The Mandate is a commitment platform for business leaders and learners to advance water stewardship.
• Endorsing companies commit to action across six key elements and report annually on progress.
• In implementing water stewardship, endorsing companies also identify and reduce critical water risks to their businesses, seize water-related opportunities, and contribute to water security and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The six commitment areas are:
  • Direct operations
  • Supply chain and watershed management
  • Collective action
  • Public policy
  • Community engagement
  • Transparency
• The CEO Water Mandate is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General and the UN Global Compact, implemented in partnership with the Pacific Institute.

Note:- NTPC, Ltd. is India’s largest power utility and is under the Union Power Ministry.