Addressing a programme organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment on Thursday to mark the World Environment Day, the DPM stressed that there was no alternative to environment protection to prevent the untoward damage from environment degradation.

He focused on sustainable utilisation of natural resources and urged one and all to gear up for environment protection  as the problems like rising temperature, flood, landslide, heavy rain and cold wave are surfacing as the outcomes of environment degradation.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya said the government is planning to come up with a 10-year special programme (2071-2080 BS) for forest development and expressed his hope that the programme would help reduce impact of global climate change.

It is the responsibility of the human being to save environment for their future generation and for all living organisms as well, he said.

The Ministry honoured various personalities including Chief Secretary Leelamani Poudyal in recognition of their contribution to environment protection.   

Shanta Chaudhary from Kirtipur has been honoured with Environment Protection Women Award carrying a purse of Rs.100,000 and Forest Consumers  Federation, Tehrathum has bagged Environment Protection Award carrying the purse of Rs. 75,000.

Likewise journalists Subodh Gautam and Madhav Aryal have been honoured with the Environment Protection Journalism Award that carries a purse of Rs. 25,000.

Chief Secretary Poudyal who received the Bagmati Cleaning Award of Rs. 75,000 provided the prize amount to the 'Nepal River Conservation Trust' dedicated to the Bagmati cleaning campaign for the past 10 years.

Every year June 5 is observed as the World Environment Day.