Earth Day celebrated on theme 'End Plastic Pollution '

Plastics with their profound use and benefits have become impossible to avoid. Excessive use and abuse of plastic has created a global havoc not just demeaning the aesthetic value of the urban and non-urban places but also threatening lives and the life support systems of the Earth. Nepal is not an exception to this ever-growing bane of the modern lifestyle. In this context, this year’s Earth Day on 22 April was dedicated to ending plastic pollution, a theme that is relevant all over the world including Nepal.

On 21^st April, an exhibition was organized on the premises of Clean Energy Nepal, where the photographs of   the “Pledge Against Plastic” photo contest were exhibited alongside stalls with  demonstration of environment friendly options for recycling and upcycling of plastic. Two photographs from each participant to signify one as problem and another as solution were on display. Sudarshan Mishra, Ward Chief of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Ward No. 15 and other elected local representatives of the ward, several women group members, enterprises working on solid waste management such as Blue Waste to Value and Pu cha Pu and participants from various youth clubs, educational institutions general public, NGO’s/INGO’s and Medias visited the exhibition. Continuing with the celebrations, on Earth Day i.e.  22nd April, a collection of messages regarding plastic pollution was published on a national daily along with the winning photographs from the exhibition. Similarly, CEN volunteers performed flash mob dance and silent drama at Civil Mall in Sundhara and Ranipokhari in Patan. The performances were done to stir up interest and raise awareness about plastic pollution to the general public. Cloth Bags as an alternative to plastic bags were promoted to the audiences of the performance.

The program was successful in raising awareness of the urgency to end plastic pollution. As a way forward, a single day celebration is not enough to bring positive change in the use of plastic culture. Thus, we need to continue our efforts with time, change our attitudes and practices and bring forward a comprehensive action plan to end the global plastic crisis.

The Earth Day Celebration Program was organized by CEN in collaboration with Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward-15, United Nations Development Program and Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA).

Around 100 participants from various youth clubs, educational institutions, local government bodies, women's group, general public, NGO’s/INGO’s and media attended the photography exhibition whereas   more than 500 public mass witnessed the performance at Civil Mall, Sundhara and Rani Pokhari, Patan Durbar Square.