International negotiators have agreed to craft a treaty to end plastic pollution with a draft due in November.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said in a release on Saturday that the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which formed to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, concluded in Paris with a mandate for the committee’s chair to prepare a draft before the next session in Nairobi, Kenya, in November.

The release states that more than 700-member state delegations and 900 observers from non-governmental organizations attended the meeting.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Anderson said she is encouraged by the progress made at the session and urged member states to continue their momentum toward creating a treaty on this topic.

“The world is calling for an agreement that is broad, innovative, inclusive and transparent, one that leans on science and learns from stakeholders, and one that ensures support for developing nations,” Anderson said.

She said plastic has been a “default option” for too long, and the committee has the power to transform that. She said products should be redesigned to use less plastic, especially those “unnecessary and problematic.”

Anderson added that systems and products should be redesigned to increase opportunities for reusing and recycling and packaging and shipping could also use less plastic.

The U.N. Environment Assembly originally requested in March 2022 that the director of the UNEP form the committee to include binding and voluntary commitments on plastic pollution.

The committee began its work in the second half of last year and is set to conclude by the end of 2024.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has maintained that the government was actively working with national and international stakeholders to develop a legal instrument to end plastic pollution.

In a post uploaded on Twitter Monday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said “On World Environment Day today, Pakistan joins the international community in renewing its commitment to phase out single-use plastic as part of its efforts to combat plastic pollution.”

The prime minister expressed satisfaction that the government was working on the Plastic Prohibition Regulation 2023 for Islamabad Capital Territory. “The comprehensive framework under the Regulation will provide a timeline for phasing out single-use plastic,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif urged all sections of the society to come together for the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity.

He also stressed spreading awareness in the communities to make recycling initiatives a success.

“We owe it to our future generations, as bequeathing a clean environment is our fundamental responsibility,” the prime minister concluded.

India and the United States have concluded a roadmap for defence industry cooperation for the next few years, the two countries said on Monday, a landmark move expected to bolster New Delhi’s defence manufacturing ambitions.

Washington is working to deepen ties with India and sees stronger military-to-military and technology ties with the world’s largest democracy as a key counterweight to China’s dominance in the region.

It is also seeking to wean New Delhi away from its traditional dependence on Russia for defence supplies.

The roadmap was finalised at a meeting between visiting U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The agreement comes weeks before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington on June 22 for an official state visit and holds talks with President Joe Biden.

The roadmap is considered significant as Washington maintains strict controls over what domestic military technology can be shared or sold to other countries.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.

In this report, environment correspondent, Gimalo Olowogoke looks at land pollution in Nigeria.

Theme for the World Environment Day 2023 is under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, ‘Ecosystem Restoration.

In Nigeria, land pollution is on the increase due mainly to the surge in industrial activities, leading to monumental environmental degradation with the attendant health implications to humans.

However, there is no dedicated legislation regulating land pollution in Nigeria. It is against this background that this paper examines the legal frameworks on land pollution in Nigeria.

The paper recommends the need to enact legislation or amend the existing environmental laws to reduce cases of land pollution in Nigeria.

In recent years, the amount of plastic in the environment has become a global concern.

With the world population approaching eight billion, more and more plastic and plastic-derived products are being used and discarded.

An estimated 367 million tonnes (367 billion kg) of plastic were produced in 2020 alone – about 12 tonnes (12,000kg) of plastic waste produced every second that year.

With About 2.5 Million Tonnes Of Plastic Waste Annually, Nigeria Ranks Ninth Globally Among Countries With The Highest Contributions To Plastic Pollution.

Unfortunately, over 88% of the plastic waste generated in Nigeria is not recycled. Instead, much of it ends up in water bodies – rivers, lakes, drains, lagoons and the ocean.

Studies globally have demonstrated the adverse impacts of plastic waste on the environment. For example, it can cause intestinal damage when ingested by fishes and turtles.

A systematic review of academic studies on plastic pollution was conducted in the environment in Nigeria. There were relatively few.

As at May 30, 2021 there were only 26 such studies in Nigeria, compared to 62 peer-reviewed studies on the Arctic Ocean.

Between 1987 and September 2020, there were 59 studies on the African aquatic environment.

The Studies Indicate That Water Sachets And Shopping Bags Are The Major Constituents Of Plastic Waste In Nigeria.

Educational institutions, markets and households are among the major routes. They are indirect routes of entry of plastic waste, particularly into water bodies in Nigeria.

The sources of plastic waste included tyre wear, cigarette butts and electronic waste (mobile phone components, electronics, electrical appliances).

Others were fishing ropes, biosolids, cosmetics, clothing, food packs, and cellphone bags.

Microplastic particles were found in some insects, snails and fish sampled from water bodies as well as in table salt (mostly in Southern Nigeria).

How To Prevent Land Pollution

So let’s look at solutions, Given the disastrous effects of land pollution, taking preventive measures to reduce its impact moving forward is crucial. Finding solutions to land pollution is not a matter of discovering a silver bullet — it will require efforts on multiple fronts.

Given that the use of pesticides and chemicals in farming and agriculture greatly contributes to land pollution, finding alternatives will help to reduce the environmental impact.

Farmers, for instance, can use natural ingredients by switching from bio-fertilizers to manure or enrolling in programs that provide education and resources regarding sustainable farming.

Another solution is Reforestation which involves replanting an area with trees.

This process helps to bind the soil, which helps to protect it from land pollution and prevents soil erosion and flooding.

Also Start composting the garbage that doesn’t need any additional efforts to be recycled (like vegetables, fruit).

You can also do the same actions with leaves instead of burning them.

A few months later, you will have an effective fertilizer of natural origin, which is rich in nutritive microelements for your trees and flowers.

The Sidon Sea Castle is a monumental historic structure that is located on the Mediterranean coast in the city of Sidon, which is the third-largest city in the Republic of Lebanon.

Located more precisely in the southern part of the nation, in the South Governorate, the castle stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of the Lebanese people, which represents the resilience and endurance they are very proud of.

Situated on a small island located at the eastern end of the ancient city of Sidon, the city is believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians in the third millennium BC, although the castle’s construction dates back to 13 century, better yet during the Crusader period, where it was built on the foundations of an earlier fortress that existed in the same location.

The castle is constructed of limestone blocks and features a rectangular design with four towers at each corner, whereas the castle’s walls are approximately 1.5 m (5 ft) thick and rise to a height of 12 m (39 ft).

Surrounded by a moat, which was originally filled with seawater to protect it from attack by sea, the moat was also used to fill the castle’s cisterns with fresh water.

Furthermore, the interior of the Sidon Sea Castle is equally impressive, especially the underground chambers which were used for different purposes, during different periods.

The castle was originally constructed as a defensive structure to protect the city from potential invaders, primarily from the sea, but after several decades, it served as a stronghold for the Crusaders during their occupation of the region and was also used by subsequent rulers, including the Mamluks and the Ottomans.

Due to its rich and quite interesting history, the Sidon Sea Castle has many legends that are linked with it, as the castle has been subject to these numerous legends and stories, there are some of which are dating back to ancient times. Among those numerous legends, one such legend states that the castle was built by a giant named Antar, who was renowned for his strength and bravery.

Still, there is another legend that suggests the castle was constructed by King Solomon as a gift to the Queen of Sheba. Nevertheless, as Sidon became the capital of the Sidon Eyalet, Turkish province when the Ottomans started ruling the area in 16 century, the castle was mainly used as a prison during this era, and it continued to be used as such for the next couple of centuries, up until World War I when the city and the castle itself became part of the French Mandate of Lebanon.

During this time its underground chambers were used to hold political prisoners, and it was a gruesome place where people would be kept for a long time.

In modern times, the castle has survived numerous conflicts and wars that have plagued the region, including the Lebanese Civil War, and as it suffered significant damage during the conflict, fortunately, it was restored in the 1990s, and today it stands as a symbol of great resilience and endurance.

Due to its longstanding importance, it has been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site since 1984 which allowed the castle to gain more visitors and to secure important restorative work which has promised to keep this amazing architectural masterpiece for future generations to gaze upon for a very long time.

As the designation additionally recognizes the castle’s importance in the history and culture of the region and its significance as an architectural masterpiece, nowadays the Sidon Sea Castle is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Visitors can explore the castle’s towers, walls, and underground chambers, which offer a glimpse into the castle’s history and its use over the centuries, in addition to the castle’s stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, making it a perfect spot for photography and sightseeing.

In conclusion, the Sidon Sea Castle is a magnificent example of Crusader architecture and a testament to the endurance and resilience of the Lebanese people.

Visitors can explore the castle’s towers, walls, and underground chambers and take in stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, and its impressive construction, intricate details, and rich cultural history make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, or culture.