World Tuberculosis Day [WHO]: 23 March

24 March is observed as World Tuberculosis Day. This day marks to raise awareness of the economic, social and health consequences caused by tuberculosis.  It also aims to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacterium that causes TB, which paved the way for diagnosing and curing this disease. This year’s theme is “Yes! We can end TB!,” conveying a message of hope that progress against the TB epidemic is possible through high-level leadership, increased investments, and faster adoption of new WHO recommendations. 

Tuberculosis is also known as 'white death'. The disease is caused by a bacteria named as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an infection of lungs and present long in the human history. Symptoms of active TB are chronic cough with blood-containing mucus, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. TB remains a significant public health crisis and a health security threat, especially multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children. It is a contagious disease and transfers from person to person through air, sneeze, spit, and cough. 

            

While TB is most commonly known as a lung infection, it can spread to other parts of the body like the brain, spine, and kidneys. Here are some risk factors for contracting tuberculosis:

• Weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or certain medications
• Close contact with someone who has active TB
• Living in or traveling to countries with high TB rates
• Substance abuse
• Malnutrition

Remember, TB is preventable and curable. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for controlling its spread. If you experience symptoms like prolonged cough, fever, or unexplained weight loss, seek medical attention promptly.

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World Water Day: 22 March

The International Day of water is observed on 22 March.  The purpose to celebrate this day is to know and embrace the importance of water in human life. This day is observed by all people, countries and organizations worldwide. For the first time this day was observed in 1993 on the same day. Every year different themes are confined to mark this day. These themes are related to water sustainability, availability and preserving water from waste. 

The importance of water in human life is immense. It does not require introduction as all human activities rest on the availability of water. Human need water for their survival in every way. A person requires 2 liter of water to drink but to grow food for a person on a daily basis, estimated 3000 liters of water are needed. According to an estimate, agriculture uses 70% of world water. Other human needs include irrigation, domestic use, cooking, washing, inshort every task is dependent on water.

The availability of water on earth is amounted but all of it is not useable. Scientists suggest that total earth area is more than 70% water and 29% earth. This colossal amount of water is not useful for consumption because 97% water is salty. This is a well established fact that salty water will harm human body so it is not consumable. The remaining 3% water is in frozen form except for a tiny amount that is present as freshwater in lakes, streams, rivers and seas. So man should admit the fact that despite large amounts on earth, water is in scarce for humans.

The waste of water is taking place throughout the world. Huge quantities of water are wasted and polluted by people everyday. According to a report by UN water, people throw an estimated waste of 3 million tons everyday. This shows how much people value water. either they are not aware of the importance of water or just do not care. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed in 2015 also have a part to preserve water.

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International Day of Forests: 21 March

  March 21 is dedicated to forests and is celebrated as the International Day of Forests. Forests are far more important than we consider them. The purpose to celebrate an International Day is to make people aware of their importance and to thanks them for providing humankind so many benefits. The theme for the International Day of forests for 2024 is Forest and Innovation: New Solutions For a Better World. The purpose for this theme is to convey the message to people that forests are the main role of our ecosystem and we need to save them by technological advancements. 

The forests should cover a lot of area on earth to ensure a better climate and sustainable ecosystem. A less surface area covered by forests can lead to very harsh climate and bad consequences. According to the FAO's 2020 Global Forest Resources Assessment, the world has 4.06 billion hectares (10.0 billion acres) of forest, which is 31% of the Earth's total land area. Furthermore, countries should also contribute to forest area. Russia is the largest forest country on earth. A country should have 10-30% of its area covered with forests.  This will ensure a better environment.

The importance of forests is colossal. There are a number of benefits that forest reap for man. For example, Forests are home to 80% of all known amphibians,  60,000 different tree species, 75 percent of bird species, and 68 percent of the world's mammal species.  Amazon rainforest is the largest forest in Brazil. If the proportion of forests is decreased, these species will find no home on earth as suitable as natural forest habitat and may become extinct. Forested watersheds and wetlands provide 75% of the world´s accessible freshwater. Water scarcity is the next danger to human survival. It is very hard and impossible for man to live without water because all activities of life are connected to water.

Also read: World Water Day 22 March

How forests play a role in climate? 
The worst climate change that the world is reiterating can be prevented by forests. They are powerful carbon sinks, meaning they absorb and store carbon dioxide. Forests provide a crucial capacity to remove greenhouse gases (GHG) from the atmosphere and help us avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. They also revert the worst effects of floods by holding soil. If we really want to avoid breaching the crucial 2°C global warming threshold, we must collectively conserve, restore, and sustainably manage forests, based on the recognition that they play an invaluable role in realizing that target. 

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International Day of Happiness: 20 March

20th March is celebrated as the International Happiness Day. It marks the remembrance of happiness in life. It makes us remember that in this busy life, one should take some time out to be happy and embrace the good things around. Happiness can be achieved by small tasks and taking small steps. Studies reveal that being grateful makes a person happy. It is true that when we embrace the things that we have and adopt gratitude, we become more happy and get inner satisfaction and contentment. This day is celebrated to remember us to be happy in life.

A number of factors contribute to the happiness of a person. It can be small like completing a task or big one as achieving a goal. Even the relic of a loved one may bring tears in our eyes but it leaves a sense of joy in our heart. A study from Harvard has revealed that good relationships are a big factor in the formation of a happier and joyous life. This means that a good relation with a friend, spouse, sibling, parent or a colleague may increase the proportion of happiness in life. People with social connection are happier and healthier in life as their strong relationships act as stress regulator, saving them from disease. The benefits of being happy are a lot as they can be.

At International Level, a lot of efforts are made to bring happiness in the stressed lives of people. In this age of connectivity, people still feel lonely and sad because of lack of economic wellness and good relationships. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by UN in 2015, also vows to make lives of people happier. It holds relieving people from poverty and ensuring economic wellness with reducing inequality as the top goals. Poverty can be the most perplexing problem of a person in this age. The only purpose is to make people aware of happiness and the role it can play in uplifting their lives.

How you can be more happy?

A person can achieve higher levels of happiness in life. A number of diversified factors and small things can help to increase happiness level in a person's life. 

• Do things, even small, that make you happy
• Spread happiness, You will get happiness in return.
• Take part in good and happy activities
• Some people get happy by doing their hobby, like reading a book or gardening make people happy 
• Show gratitude even at small blessings.
• Enjoy nature and embrace it

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The climate change and its impacts on Pakistan

Climate change is a globally tensing phenomenon. This problem is prevailing in the world. Climate change and its adverse effects has impacted the whole world. Many reports show that climate change is a real phenomena and not a propaganda of west as some people exert. The temperature in many european countries in 2023 was real high than normal temperature. A lot of countries in other continents are also facing repercussions of climate change. Moreover the impacts of climate change can be more severe than are faced now.

Effects of climate change on pakistan:
Climate change has severe effects on Pakistan which is already in its developing phase. Climate change can add to troubles of the country. The effects of climate change on Pakistan will not only harm its economy but it can possibly disturb all aspects of the country. It is said that Pakistan is the 7th most prone country to the harsh effects of climate change due to its geographic location. A number of harms caused due to climate change effects are already manifested in Pakistan in recent years. The country faced one of the extreme floods in 2022 which not only caused a large number of casualties but also harmed infra stucture and the economy bore a huge loss. According to world bank report, the loss caused by floods in pakistan in 2022 was about $15 billion. As a developing country, this was immense loss. 

What can  Pakistan do to revert climate change effects? 
To counter the effects of climate change Pakistan needs to take immediate steps or the country may suffer more badly in the coming years. Already there are many examples of increasing effects of the climate change in the world that include loss of habitats for animals, less food production, and many others. The country can build strong infrastructure, liveable cities, plant more, restore ecosystems, use advance technology and innovative ideas to handle natural disasters, and empower youth that would be helpful and a beacon of hope. Pakistan can add strict practices and follow internationally prescribed methods to revert climate change. Although it contributes less in practices enhancing climate change but it can suffer more if proper measure are not ensured.

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