NEW DELHI: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his happiness over
India officially hosting this year's
World
Environment
Day.
Addressing the nation on the 44th edition of '
Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said, "On the 5th of June, our nation will officially host the
World
Environment
Day Celebrations. This is a very important achievement for
India and also a recognition of
India's growing leadership in the direction of tackling climate change."
The Prime Minister spoke about this year's theme- 'Beat Plastic Pollution' and appealed to the citizens to not use low-grade polythenes, plastics and try to curb the negative impact of plastic pollution on the
environment, wildlife and health.
He also urged people to set a target of achieving record plantation of trees with the onset of the rainy season and maintain the saplings till they grow.
Speaking about the dust storms that had engulfed the country earlier this month, the Prime Minister said that 'the calamities are basically the result of the change in weather patterns.'
India and
United Nations signed a document in February this year, declaring
India as the Global Host of
World
Environment
Day, 2018.
FIle photo of Narendra Modi (PTI)