EcoSikh to Plant 1 Million Trees in collaboration with Industry

By 121 News

Chandigarh, March 21, 2024:- On the occasion of the celebration of their 15th anniversary event at the Chandigarh Press Club EcoSikh has reaffirmed their partnership with the industry. An initiative called Lungs of Ludhiana in collaboration with the Ludhiana industry to plant 1 million trees was started. Under which 167 sacred forests have already been planted in the city, which have 91000 native trees.

EcoSikh, a global environmental organization, celebrated an eventful 15 years of its founding and its environmental conservation work. EcoSikh Global President, Dr. Rajwant Singh along with its board members highlighted some of achievements and accomplishments of the organization at the Chandigarh Press club here today.

Dr  Rajwant Singh, Global President of EcoSikh, said that as EcoSikh celebrates its 15th anniversary, we are indebted to all of our supporters and partners for this amazing journey of nature preservation. We are also proud that so many young people and individuals at the grass roots level have engaged in our work and they helped us expand our positive foot print.

Shubhendu Sharma, founder of the Afforestt and adviser to EcoSikh said that EcoSikh has been at the forefront of driving the Sikh and Punjabi community in India and in the global diaspora via meaningful actions towards the betterment of our planet. Over the past decade and a half, the organization has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have had a profound impact on communities worldwide in shaping our behaviour towards the depleting natural resources.

President EcoSikh India, Supreet Kaur said that he has had a remarkable journey of eight years with the organisation, he admire how our team has evolved in the thick and thin with an unshakable dedication to serve the mother earth. He is proud of our board and their continuous support.

She said that over the years EcoSikh launched various initiatives to engage the worldwide Sikh community to take action on environment. In 2010, it started the annual celebration of the Sikh Environment Day which prompted many institutions, schools and colleges to take major steps to be eco-friendly.

She further added that in 2012, EcoSikh also launched Eco-Amritsar: a campaign to make city for greener and sustainable by having an active participant of all the stakeholders of this sacred city. 

In 2021, EcoSikh inaugurated, Guru Granth Sahib Bagh in Patto Hira Singh Village in Moga District, in which all the trees and vegetation mentioned in Sikh scriptures are planted.  This has become an attractive site for community members from all over including abroad. 

In addition, in 2018, EcoSikh started a campaign to plan one million trees in celebration of Guru Nanak's 550th birth-anniversary. It adopted Miyawaki methodology in 2019 and started planting Guru Nanak Sacred Forests. Each forest has 550 trees of native species. 914 such forests have been planted so far with the active participation of grass roots in Punjab and various parts of India. 5,00,2700 surviving and thriving native trees in these forests are inviting immense amount of biodiversity. 

Charan Singh, EcoSikh's Forest convener said that all the initiatives by EcoSikh shows that this body has focused on taking action and its social media campaigns have connected Sikhs and non-Sikhs to environmental work.

Lokesh Jain convenor said that "Lungs of Ludhiana" the success of Lungs of Ludhiana highlighting 167 micro forests, it is the important role played by industry.

Amit Dhawan from Vardhman Special Steels Limited also stressed the importance of the initiative & Vardhman 's commitment towards the Environment.

Ecosikh now has chapters in India, USA, Canada, Norway, UK and Ireland. These teams are largely engaging with the Sikhs and Punjabi communities in the diaspora and also collaborate with their respective city councils, and local communities and organisations to spread Guru Nanak's message for ecological restoration. 

The body was launched in 2009 in New Delhi in the presence of 200 Sikh leaders, thinkers and activists , a session attended by Justice Kuldeep Singh, Union Minister Manohar Singh and Paramjit Singh Sarna, the then President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee. Secretary of SGPC also participated. 

Same year, EcoSikh's plan and agenda was presented to Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General and Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle, UK. 

Currently, EcoSikh has over 20 staff members working in Punjab and it has trained 60 forest makers who are available on call basis.