Big B lends support to UN Billion Tree Campaign

BANGKOK: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, will show his support to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign by planting a tree at the UN's Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday.

The Billion Tree Campaign was launched by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in January 2007. Since then, close to two billion trees have been planted around the globe.

Along with a focus on tree planting, the campaign also highlights the importance of voluntary action by all sectors of society to address issues such as climate change, air quality and water, among others.

"All of us can play a role in helping our planet. This involves simple actions that each of us can take," said Bachchan ahead of the planting ceremony.

"UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign, which is set to meet its two billion mark soon, is testimony to the tenacity and will of people to do their part. I encourage you to join the millions who helped turn this small 'acorn' into a tree of hope," he added.

Amitabh Bachchan will be joined by Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); Hiroshi Nishimiya, Deputy Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; and Latha Reddy, India's Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP.