Hundreds of people celebrated the World Environment Day on 5 June 2016 in “Valea Morilor” Park in Chisinau. The event was marked with music, fun, thematic workshops for children and adults, exhibitions, a fair with local products, obtained from nature, gifts and socialization.
The celebration, entitled “A tree never dies alone”, was organized by the environmental projects of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Climate East, Biodiversity mainstreaming, Energy and Biomass, Small Grants programme of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) – in partnership with the Minsitry of Environment, Climate Change Office, Moldsilva Agency and the Ecological Movement from Moldova.
“The topic of biodiversity is relevant for the Republic of Moldova, because any disappeared species, even at local level, endangers the functionality of natural systems, while they are at the basis of life and all humankind activities. Goods and services offered by natural ecosystems, such as food, soil, water and pure air, wood and others are vital for maintaining life on earth, but also for further social and economic development. The UNDP, through its projects, provides support to the Government of the Republic of Moldova in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, where environmental protection plays a key role”, noted Silvia Pana-Carp, UNDP Moldova’s programme analyst.
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Victor Morgoci, said: "The Ministry of Environment was, is and will be concerned to raise awareness of every citizen about the concept of a human being as a biological species dependent on nature. I encourage everyone to acknowledge the need to protect the environment, because a clean environment is indispensable for human life. "
Singer, Cristofor Aldea-Teodorovici impressed the visitors with a mix DJ set with live vocals. The Ecological Movement from Moldova, together with a professional group of tourists, trained the guests how “to live right in nature” – how to make luggage efficiently, how to organize a tourist stop, about species of animals and insects and, obviously, about the tourist code of conduct. Beyond the informative part, the visitors competed on slackline, an entertaining concentration and balance sport.
Specialists from Moldsilva Agency showed their working instruments and impressed with knowledge about trees and animals. Another active entertainment of the day were the recycling workshops, where each participant made a bag out of banners and children decoration items wove out of recycled fabrics. Also, craftsmen taught the guests to twine twigs and vegetal fibres.
Another eco exhibition was organized in the zone of “Renewable energy”, where biomass boilers, assembled in the Republic of Moldova were exhibited, along with the locally produced biofuel; competitions with eco prizes were organized.
Each participant could find out the size of his personal carbon foot print, and respectively, how many trees it owes to the universe.
The zone “Leave a message to the Earth” supported everyone’s expression, thus, everybody could leave its own message in support of the environment. Photo sessions were also made here.
On the lake promenade from “Valea Morilor” Park, a photo exhibition was arranged, displaying pictures about the activities of the projects and institutions which organized the event, on their environment-related activities in the Republic of Moldova.
Craftsmen from all over the country exposed their products at the event. Also, precious products, obtained from nature, such as honey and medicinal plants, were sold.
The World Environment Day is celebrated yearly on 5 June. This year’s topic is illegal trade in wildlife.
“On this World Environment Day, I urge people and governments everywhere to overcome indifference, combat greed and act to preserve our natural heritage for the benefit of this and future generations”, said Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, in his message.