Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Year of Biodiversity.
3 June 2010, Television Interview: an interview was conducted on one of the private television stations in the evening of 3rd June. It involved a panel from the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) and a youth representative to discuss the significance of the World Environment Day in relation to the theme “
Many Species. One Planet. One Future”.
4 June 2010, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Catherine Namugala, MP delivered a speech to launch the commemorations of the World Environment Day.
5 June 2010,
World Environment Day: the commemorations of the World Environment Day were held at Munda Wanga Botanical Gardens in Lusaka, Zambia, a site that has species of both plant and animal life. Speeches by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Hon. Vera T. Chiluba, MP, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anna C. Masinja and the UNDP Resident Coordinator Mr. Macleod Nyirongo at the commemoration venue. All the speeches, among other things, highlighted the importance of biodiversity for both present and future generations.
Drama Performances
Drama performances were made at the venue for raising awareness on biodiversity conservation, with some performances by school children.
March Past
A march past led by the Deputy Minister of Environment, was held from the Lusaka National Museums to the Ministry Headquarters, a distance of about two kilometers to raise awareness on the importance of biodiversity. The activity attracted hundreds of participants from line ministries, statutory bodies, schools, colleges, private sector, youth organisations and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Exhibitions
About ten (10) organizations exhibited various materials such as publications and products relating to biodiversity.
Species Identification at Forest Reserve No. 27
A local NGO, the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ) organised an education trip to Lusaka East Forest Reserve No. 27, the only public protected area with large natural green space in the immediate proximity of Zambia’s capital city. The activity involved over 500 people, mainly school going children and their teachers. It focussed on species identification to emphasise the importance of each species on the planet.
