This year World Environment Day, organized annually by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) starting in 1972, was celebrated on 5 June in India. It was the first time an Asian country has hosted the event.
The various initiatives programmed for the Day took place in Mumbai and New Delhi and centered on the theme: Forests at Your Service. With a population of 1.2 billion, India is facing major challenges today with regard to uncontrolled urbanization, industrialization and a massive intensification of agriculture. However, the country’s current economic boom has stimulated the Indian government to take measures to resolve these issues.
Besides deforestation, problems discussed during the conferences of the Day included climate changes, pollution, the planet’s dwindling water resources and illegal wildlife trafficking. World Environment Day 2012 will be held in Brazil.