Members of Parliament commemorate World Environment Day at Independence Boulevard

Members of Parliament walking towards Independence Boulevard where each of them planted a tree to mark World Environment Day (NBC News: Solomon Sumb)

Students from the various primary schools in the National Capital District today marked World Environment Day differently from previous years.

They accompanied the prime minister and his deputy and other government ministers and members of parliament to plant trees along the 200-meter stretch of Independence Boulevard.

Prime Minister James Marape said, "We are the generation of restoration and tree planting is important because trees generate oxygen.

"I urge the citizens to observe that every tree harvest must be replaced by planting a new tree,"Mr Marape said.

This event signifies that Conservation and environmental protection is everyone's business and the event today portrays what individuals or as a nation can do to protect the environment.

Prime Minister James Marape with students from Boreboa Primary School in Wagani posing for a picture after the PM planted a tree (NBC News: Solomon Sumb)

Sharing similar sentiments, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge said our natural habitat has been greatly affected because people have been carelessly clearing trees without replanting.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop said the Boulevard will be designed to become the National precinct to host important national events.

"Tree planting now is very important because we will preserve this place for hosting major events while continue to reap the natural benefits [oxygen] it will generate,"Mr Parkop said.