The World Environment Day 2013 will be hosted by Rukwa Region at the national level on June 5, which will focus on reducing food waste and loss, the government announced.
Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office, Mr Charles Kitwanga
The Deputy Minister of State Vice-President’s Office (Environment), Mr Charles Kitwanga told journalists here yesterday that the activities will be officially opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, in Namanyere, Nkasi District while the Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal will officiate at the climax.
The deputy minister said various activities will be conducted in a week running up to the climax of the world Environment Day, starting from June 1.
He insisted that the responsibility to protect environment was for all citizens, saying the government was determined to overcome the challenges in improving environment and it would continue to seize every opportunity to remind its people on the importance of a less-polluting and more-sustainable future.
He said the theme for the Day is: “Think. Eat. Save. Reduce your foodprint.” It’ll be celebrated at the global level in Mongolia. Mr Kitwanga said the national level celebrations would go under the theme “Think before you eat, protect environment,” which remind citizens to fulfil their obligations to protect environment.
The new food-inspired global campaign focuses on the fact that over one billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year, according to UNEP, the UN Environment Programme.
The campaign, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and others, aims to reduce food loss along the entire chain of food production and consumption and specifically targets food wasted by consumers, retailers and the hospitality industry.
Observance of World Environment Day began in 1972 as a way to raise awareness of the environment and encourage political attention and action.
By NASONGELYA KILYINGA, Tanzania Daily News
