On 5th June 1977, India Post released this commemorative postage stamp to mark the World Environment Day.

Each year, a different city hosts the global celebrations of the World Environment Day, and a specific theme is chosen to address environmental concerns. In 1977, New Delhi was selected as the Host City under the theme "Ozone Layer Environmental Concern; Lands Loss and Soil Degradation”. India particularly raised awareness about environmental issues and promoted actions for a cleaner and greener planet.

The World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the UN at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The Stockholm Conference was considered as the first global environmental summit.

The first World Environment Day was held in 1973. Since then, the annual event, has helped both celebrate the planet and put a spotlight on the perils it is facing.