March 14th, Sikh Vatavaran Diwas (Environment Day) 2012

Sikhs around the world will come together again to celebrate the Gurdgaddi of Guru Har Rai Ji again Sikh Vatavaran Diwas (environment day) for a second year in a row. On this day, Gurdwaras worldwide will focus kirtan and katha on the concept of kudrat, and participate in a number of hands on activities to protect our environment.

Ask your Gurdwara to participate by:

• Focusing kirtan and katha on nature
• Hosting the Khalsa School Lesson on the Environment, created by the Sikh Research Institute
• Participating in a cleanup, tree planting, or children’s activity

All resources will be available on the EcoSikh website. Participating Gurdwaras should register to keep a database on worldwide activities, and respond with a ‘Yes’ on the Facebook invitation.

The purpose of Sikh Vatavaran Diwas is to bring Khalsa Panth together on issues of the environment. With Punjab ranking twenty-seventh out of thirty states in the environmental performance index (EPI), the need for Sikhs to connect Gurbani to the issues around them is real. The contamination of soil, land and water from intensive agricultural production remain high on the list of Punjab’s ecological challenges, in addition to industrial pollution and solid waste, low forest cover, and air pollution from thermal plants.

The annual event is being hosted by EcoSikh, an organization that encourages us to live in harmony with the environment according to the philosophy of Guru Nanak. EcoSikh brings together innovative partnerships between Sikhs, scientists, planners, and major bodies working to protect air, water, and land. This year, the day is expected to be marked by Punjab Government Schools, five major Takhts, along with twenty-five Gurdwaras across Pakistan, in Punjab and Balochistan.

Be a part of the movement. Get your Gurdwara on board today.