World Environment Day 2025

On World Environment Day 2025, observed on June 5, global and national efforts converged to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”. South Korea hosted this year's event, emphasizing the urgent need to combat the pervasive presence of plastics in our environment and bodies .

Key Highlights from India:

🌿 National Initiatives

Aravalli Green Wall Project: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this project aimed at restoring the degraded Aravalli range, one of the world's oldest mountain systems, to enhance ecological balance and combat desertification .

'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' Campaign: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) launched the second phase of this tree plantation drive, targeting the planting and distribution of 1.5 lakh saplings to promote community engagement in environmental conservation .

NDMC's Monsoon Plantation Drive: The New Delhi Municipal Council announced plans to plant over 2,000 trees and approximately 4.82 lakh shrubs during the monsoon season to enhance urban green cover .


🏞️ Environmental Recognitions

New Ramsar Sites: Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, Rajasthan, were designated as Ramsar Sites, recognizing their importance as wetlands of international significance and bringing India's total to 91 such sites .


🚗 Sustainable Mobility Trends

Rise in Electric Vehicle Adoption: India witnessed a surge in electric vehicle (EV) demand, with models like Tata Nexon EV, Tiago EV, and offerings from Mahindra, Hyundai, and luxury brands gaining popularity. Two-wheeler EVs like TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak also saw increased adoption, reflecting a shift towards sustainable transportation .


📚 Educational and Digital Engagement

Plastic Pollution Literacy Kit: The United Nations in India introduced this digital tool to educate individuals across various sectors about the impacts of plastic waste and strategies to mitigate it .

Green Gaming Initiative: Reliance Games launched the fourth edition of its eco-conscious gaming campaign, engaging youth in sustainability through interactive digital platforms .


🌆 Spotlight on Clean Cities

Top Cleanest Cities: Indore retained its position as India's cleanest city, notable for initiatives like the 'Garbage Café' where individuals receive meals in exchange for plastic waste. Other cities recognized for their cleanliness include Surat, Navi Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada, each implementing innovative waste management and sanitation practices .


🌱 Personal Actions and Advocacy

Celebrity Advocacy: Actor Ankit Gupta emphasized the importance of individual actions in environmental conservation, choosing to spend the day tending to plants in his residential garden and encouraging others to adopt sustainable practices .


These initiatives underscore a collective commitment to environmental sustainability, highlighting the multifaceted approaches—from policy implementation and community engagement to technological innovation and personal responsibility—necessary to address environmental challenges.

For a visual overview of India's contributions to World Environment Day 2025, you can watch the following video:

Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to World Environment Day 2025, covering its theme, significance, and actions individuals and communities can take:


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🌍 General Questions

1. What is World Environment Day?
World Environment Day is a global platform organized by the United Nations to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of the environment. It is celebrated every year on June 5.

2. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2025?
The theme for 2025 is “Beat Plastic Pollution”, focusing on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives.

3. Who is the host country for World Environment Day 2025?
South Korea is the host country for this year's global celebrations.

4. Why is World Environment Day important?
It mobilizes governments, businesses, and individuals to address pressing environmental issues through education, policy changes, and grassroots efforts.


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🛍️ Theme-Specific Questions (Plastic Pollution)

5. Why is plastic pollution such a serious issue?
Plastics do not biodegrade easily, harming marine life, entering the food chain, and polluting ecosystems. Microplastics have even been found in human blood and organs.

6. What can I do to reduce plastic use in daily life?

Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers

Avoid single-use plastics like straws and cutlery

Choose products with sustainable packaging

Recycle responsibly


7. What is the UN doing about plastic pollution?
The UN is advocating for a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution and encouraging countries to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws and circular economy models.


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🌱 Local Actions and Involvement

8. How can schools and colleges participate?
They can:

Organize awareness campaigns

Host eco-friendly poster competitions

Conduct clean-up drives

Plant trees and promote recycling


9. Are there any government-led initiatives in India this year?
Yes, initiatives include:

Aravalli Green Wall Project (ecological restoration)

'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree planting campaign

NDMC’s monsoon plantation drive


10. How do businesses contribute to Environment Day goals?
Businesses can:

Reduce packaging waste

Switch to renewable energy

Educate consumers about sustainability

Partner in cleanup or awareness campaigns



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🔋 Technology & Innovation

11. What role does technology play in fighting plastic pollution?
Innovations include:

Biodegradable materials

Waste-to-energy systems

Smart recycling infrastructure

Apps for waste tracking and management


12. Are there sustainable alternatives to plastic?
Yes. Examples include:

Bamboo or metal utensils

Cloth bags

Compostable containers

Bioplastics made from cornstarch or algae



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📣 Getting Involved

13. Where can I find resources to spread awareness?

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

World Environment Day official website

National Ministry of Environment websites

Local NGOs and community groups


14. How can I participate online?

Use hashtags like #WorldEnvironmentDay, #BeatPlasticPollution

Join webinars or eco-challenges

Share educational content or your own eco-journey


15. What are some long-term actions I can take beyond June 5?

Adopt a zero-waste lifestyle

Volunteer with environmental groups

Support green businesses

Advocate for environmental policies