Today is Word Refugee Day, and though it may be seen to some, as the commemoration of a day that has only humanitarian significance, this is only partly true.

With the number of refugees on the rise, especially in the recent past, a massive toll is being taken on the environment.

War and violent conflict causes huge turmoil with the gunshots an grenades being fired , this contributes not only to an overall situation of devastating turmoil but also massive pollution.

Added to the immense levels of noise pollution is the massive displacement of people who have lost their means of livelihood, leaving behind agriculture that not only added to the economy but to the land under cultivation.

War destroys vital forest cover and loss of human life, flora and fauna.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, I had written an article to a national daily, the Gulf News as given below.

I hope that through the continued efforts of both individuals and organizations, we can do our bit to ameliorate the situation while being grateful for the blessings we have.