(VOVworld)- Vietnam has renewed efforts in response to World Environment Day June 5^th “Go Wild for Life”. Activities, launched on June 4^th to encourage the general public to protect the endangered wildlife, will run until the end of July . 

"Action month for environment" campaign was launched in Lao Cai province

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) says that, like drug or weapon trafficking, the illegal trade of wild animals takes in huge profits, estimated to be between 7 and 24 billion USD annually. To mark World Environment Day June 5^th, Vietnam has launched a series of activities from central to local level to raise awareness on the protection of the environment, particularly wildlife. On June 4^th, in Lao Cai province, there were workshops, events on releasing animals into the wild, tree planting, and a gala night to deliver strong message on Mother Nature and our actions. Nguyen Van Tai, Head of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said: “We need to live in harmony with and understand nature in order to apply natural law to life and socio-economic development. It’s important that we exist with nature, advocate sustainable development through pragmatic and concrete actions, and are intolerant to trading and consuming wildlife or wildlife products”.

The UNEP has chosen the theme “Go Wild for Life” for this year’s World Environment Day to inspire people to take environment-friendly actions and ease the increasing pressure on the earth’s ecological systems. It also aims to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife by showcasing how this crime erodes precious biodiversity and threatens the survival of many species. People are must change their habits and behaviour to reduce the demand for wildlife products. Efforts should be made to increase awareness and law enforcement. Christopher Batt of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime in Vietnam said: “With all the organizations and governments working here in Vietnam, I really do urge the Vietnamese to make full use of their experience, the expertise, and the support that are being provided to help you close those gaps that I’ve referred to, and protect what remains the earth’s precious biodiversity. We need to raise awareness the wildlife crime does affect us all and warn that we should just not accept any further. It’s time we’ve got serious about wildlife crime before it’s too late”. 

Vietnam has pledged to cooperate with the international community to protect wildlife.