Children feel world leaders care least about environment

KATHMANDU, June 5: World Environment Day 2013 was celebrated on Wednesday in the capital amid the presence of hundreds of school students, representatives from several organizations and people from various walks of life. However, the neglect of wildlife, bio-diverstiy and the environment is going on and would go on as the world leaders are not really committed toward the issue, noted some of the children.



According to a seventh-grader from Excelsior School Elisha Lama, the annual environment day celebration alone is not going to make a difference. “Many organizations and the government show that they are so much concerned for the cause by celebrating the day in a grand manner. I think the whole world is celebrating the day today in a grand manner,” she added. “However, do the people in villages or remote areas know about the day? Are everyone concerned and aware? What we know is our environment is degrading day by day and the world leaders are not really serious about it,” she added. [break]



Ayushma Dhital of the same class stressed that though she knew less about the world system and politics, she can see that people are not aware about the importance of environment and wildlife. “That is why our environment is facing challenges. We have come here with hopes to do our bit to raise awareness among the people. However, just picking one day as environment day is not going to have much impact.”



Dozens of students were awarded certificates during the program jointly organized by the Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), Central Zoo, NTNC, IUCN, WWF, Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan city. Tek Bahadur Thapa Gharti handed over the awards to the students who excelled in painting and writing regarding environment issues. Gharti also presented award to several other people for their contribution in conserving wildlife and environment.



Meanwhile, Alam Rimal of Third Eye School, who had come to the event to receive his prize, told Republica that "World Environment Day is just an annual event" and has nothing much do to with the wider impact. “I had come here last year as well to receive a prize. It is all same,” said the fourth-grader.



Seventh-grader Roshan Sharma from the same school stated that he loved the event and the slogan of the year "Think, eat, don´t waste food."

As per the world food and agriculture organization´s report, 1.3 ton of food is wasted in the world every year, while over 20,000 children below 5 years of age die without food every single day.



“If the world leaders care about the environment and the people, may be the world would be a far better place,” commented Lama.

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