Jun 05, Kathmandu - CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has urged everyone to raise their voices in favor of environmental justice.

Expressing best wishes on the occasion of World Environment Day on Thursday, he stressed the need for everyone to cooperate and coordinate to develop an environment-friendly lifestyle in a country like Nepal, which is rich in biodiversity and is predominantly agricultural.

Prachanda mentioned that the impact of plastic pollution is becoming serious in a country with a geographical landscape of Terai, hills and mountains. He said, "I urge everyone to reduce the use of plastic and prioritize recycling, develop an eco-friendly lifestyle and raise their voices in favor of environmental justice."

Chairman Prachanda said that the need of the day is to increase national and international awareness and activism for environmental protection and mitigation of the effects of climate change. "If we fail to take decisive steps today to protect the mountains, the Himalayan ranges and the lives of the Himalayan people and mitigate the effects of climate change, future generations will have to face dire consequences," he said.

Stating that plastic waste management is a complex challenge from urban areas to rural settlements, Prachanda opined that plastic pollution is a direct result of today's competitive capitalist trend.

"Plastic pollution is disrupting the environmental balance and is having long-term impacts on public health, food security, water resources and biological systems, so it is necessary for all concerned bodies to unite and coordinate to solve this problem," he said.

Former Prime Minister Prachanda recalled that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he made environmental security a policy issue and has been firmly raising his voice on the issues of climate justice, including the impacts and compensation suffered by Nepal due to climate change, at national and international forums.

He emphasized the need to move Nepal forward on the path of green development by focusing on the problems of mountainous countries, green energy, climate adaptation strategies, and environment-friendly policies. Today, World Environment Day is being celebrated all over the world with the main slogan 'Let's end plastic pollution'.