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World Oceans Day and World Environment Day fall within a few days of each other on 5 and 8 June respectively. Designated as special days by the United Nations, the two are intrinsically linked. Addressing the importance of both should be at the forefront of all our minds if we are to have a healthier planet for next generations. The Pakistan Navy can be seen here again as a major supporter of both these important days.
The theme of this year's World Oceans Day is "Our Oceans, Our Future" and World Environment Day's theme is "Connecting People to Nature". If we look at these two themes together then the focus should perhaps be, "What we do on and to our land affects our oceans". We cannot have one without the other. They must be in harmony. Getting outdoors and experiencing nature is a wonderful experience for young and old. To preserve nature is an even more wonderful experience.
Last year prior to World Oceans Day and World Environment Day, Pakistan Navy pledged to plant one million mangrove saplings as part of its initiatives to preserve the marine environment and to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove protection amongst the public. This target has been achieved and future planting programs are on the agenda. The awareness campaigns have added much to the understanding of why mangroves are important, that protecting them and the coast environment is critical to protection of marine life, and that they provide a barrier against natural disasters. This is a great achievement and contribution to the environment.
This year's Pakistan Navy initiatives to celebrate both important days include campaigns through lectures to focus on the importance of preserving the environment and ensuring clean oceans. Pamphlets, leaflets and banners will be distributed to schools, colleges, and residential areas for awareness of wider audience. Essay, charts, and speech competitions will also be held at schools and colleges. Video clips of activities will be shared through social media and cable operators to raise community awareness. Two vital components of the celebrations will be cleanup campaigns of harbours/ports and beach walk to clean up the litter on the beaches.
Helping the public to understand the threats to the environment is not an easy task. But...