International Mother Earth Day being observed

Kathmandu, April 22: The International Mother Earth Day is being observed in different countries of the world by organizing various events today, calling for collective efforts for sustainable future.

Following the request of the United Nations, this Day is celebrated every year on April 22 since 2009. This Day gives a message that the collective efforts are needed to protect the Earth and maintain environmental balance. 

Oceans are being filled with plastics and turning more acidic rapidly. Millions of people are affected with extreme heat, wildfires, flood and landslides. As per the UN, the planet is losing around 10 million hectares of forest every year. 

Environment experts said a healthy ecosystem helps to protect people from diseases and the biological diversity makes difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly. 

It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction. 

Climate change, man-made changes to nature, as well as activities that disrupts biodiversity such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet. Restoration of ecosystems is needed to improve this situation. 

Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.   (RSS)