Manipal, 05 June 2023: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, celebrated World Environment Day at the campus on Monday. Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor Technology & Science flagged off an awareness rally by the students of the Academy of General Education; the theme for World Environment Day 2023 was focused on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign Beat Plastic Pollution.
The world is being inundated by plastic. Over 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced annually, half designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 percent is recycled. An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers, and seas. Today, plastic clogs our landfills leach into the ocean and is combusted into toxic smoke, making it one of the gravest threats to the planet.

Not only that, but what is less known is that microplastics find their way into the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. Many plastic products contain hazardous additives, which may pose a threat to our health.  The good news is that we have science and solutions to tackle the problem –and a lot is already happening.

What is needed most now is a surge of public and political pressure to scale up and speed up actions from governments, companies, and other stakeholders to solve this crisis. This underscores the importance of this World Environment Day mobilizing action worldwide.

Mr Nandan G Patil, student of Sharada Residential School spoke on the plastic pollution as they create problems for wildlife, habitats as well as for human populations.

Dr. Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, expressed his concern: “During his childhood, he never thought the water would be sold in shops; if we don’t preserve our environment, the day will come oxygen also will get sold one day.”  

World Environment Day 2023 showcases how countries, businesses, and individuals learn to use material more sustainably, hoping that plastic pollution will be history one day. 

Dr Padmaraj Hegde, Dean, KMC Manipal welcomed the gatherings and Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (HS), MAHE delivered the Environment Day message. Dr Geetha Maiya, Director, Student Affairs, MAHE gave the vote of thanks. Mr Balakrishna Prabhu, Estate Officer coordinated the event.  The dignitaries including Dr NN Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor (S&P), MAHE and Dr P Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE graced the event.