World Environment Day, 2021 & Sustainable Tourism


S. Fazal Daoud Firdausi


World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June of every year. The theme of this year’s environment day is Ecosystem Restoration. This year Pakistan will act as global host of the day (UNEP).

What is Ecosystem Restoration

The concept of ecosystem restoration is built upon two basic principles. Firstly, providing assistance in the recovery of already degraded ecosystems. Secondly, conserving the ecosystem that is still intact (UNEP). Healthier ecosystems are very important for maintaining food security. In addition to that, it is vital to fight global warming. Restoration of ecosystem can be carried out in two ways:
  • Actively planting and strengthening ecosystems.
  • Removing anthropogenic pressures.
  • Responsible Tourism and Ecosystem Restoration
To mark World Environment Day 2021, UNWTO has launched its one planet vision for responsible recovery of the tourism sector. Covid-19 pandemic has given a golden opportunity to the tourism sector to reinvent itself.

According to UNWTO, it can be achieved through six lines of actions.
  • Robust public health
  • Social inclusion
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Climate action
  • Circular economy
  • Good governance and finance
Social inclusion is an integral part of sustainable tourism. It is essential for the tourism practitioners, planners and administrators to actively involve locals in tourism planning and decision making processes.

It is now high time to scale-up sustainable production and consumption, encourage ecotourism and push for efficient use of natural resources. Ecological restoration through responsible tourism can help us shape the future with better growth and prosperity.