World Environment Day (WED) will be commemorated globally on 5 June 2001. On this occasion, the United Nations System in Pakistan is inviting concerned individuals and groups throughout Pakistan to contribute short stories explaining how they or their communities have been able to protect their environment. The text can be about the preservation of a local ecosystem, the protection of an animal species, or it could explain steps taken by a community to reduce pollution or to better recycle waste. The stories, not longer than 800 words, should be sent to the UN Information Centre by email at unic@isb.paknet.com.pk

All stories will be posted the same day on a special sub-site of the main UN Pakistan website. You can already visit the site at www.un.org.pk for more details on the initiative, which is collectively supported by FAO, ILO, UNAIDS, UNDCP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIC, UNICEF, UNIDO, WFP, and WHO. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), a UNDP project, is a privileged partner in this endeavour.

This Internet-based initiative is meant to involve anyone interested in the protection of the environment, be it children, educators, journalists, intellectuals or others. Those who will merely wish to send messages related to the celebration of World Environment Day may also do so at the same email address unic@isb.paknet.com.pk. Messages can be an encouragement, a comment or a suggestion. They too will be posted on the website.

With each day that passes, people all around the world sense and feel more clearly the increasing dangers faced by the environment and think of measures for its preservation. Klaus Toepfer, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said: "WED reminds all of the Earth's inhabitants that mankind's future is inextricably woven with the plants, animals and ecosystems of the planet which provide us with food, water, air, medicine, building materials and, not least, beauty which is vital for nourishing the human spirit". Every citizen of Planet Earth has a role to play to ensure strong environmental protection -a duty- which governments cannot do alone. So come forward and join the world community in the celebration of World Environment Day.