The Ministry of Environment and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Cambodia) will this year take to social media to celebrate Earth Hour under the theme “Love Nature”.

Environment ministry spokesperson Neth Pheaktra said the ministry would not hold a public gathering to celebrate the event on March 27 as part of preventive measures against Covid-19.

“We will celebrate this event with WWF-Cambodia in cooperation with other partners. We chose the topic ‘Love Nature’ that connects the bond between nature’s harmony and the wellbeing of humanity,” he said.

He added that nature was of vital importance for humans. The celebration of Earth Hour was intended for citizens to learn the benefits of natural resources.

“We would like to call on citizens not to hunt animals, set traps, eat bush meat, use products made from animal skins or trade in any kind of wild animals. They have to participate in protecting and conserving natural resources,” he said.

The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30pm on a specific day at the end of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

The event was first held in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 to encourage millions of people throughout the world to protect nature and the Earth.

Pheaktra said that on March 25, the ministry would also hold an online talk with the participation of relevant institutions, environmentalists and WWF-Cambodia.