Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh said, “This step will help to stop the disastrous pollution of Punjab’s land and water due to over usage of pesticides and chemicals. It is important that the drive to eradicate poisonous food consumption starts from our religious places. The tradition of langar since the time of Gurus was to provide nutritious and healthy food to underprivileged and downtrodden. Langar must always be focused on promoting health besides being a major tool to practice and promote equality.”
EcoSikh had worked closely with SGPC to start organic farming for Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple). Dr Rajwant Singh added, “We appreciate that SGPC has increased organic farming for the Golden Temple langar from 5 acres to 12. We would request them to start a similar initiative for other Takhts too.”
EcoSikh has also started a major plantation drive this year called Guru Har Rai Rukh Lagao Lehar. Over 800 trees have been planted in Punjab and worldwide. EcoSikh India President, Supreet Kaur, said, “Punjab which has a mere 3.5% of forest cover and it witnessed 900,000 trees axed in the last 5 years so first priority should be to ensure that a well planned strategy is put in place to increase the forest area in the state. She added, “EcoSikh is ready to help and will encourage other NGOs to become helpful partners in this direction provided the political leadership is serious in lifting Punjab out of catastrophic environmental disaster. As Punjabis, it is our duty to uphold the principles of living in harmony with nature as taught by Guru Har Rai ji.”
We need to ear mark 25 percent of our land for forests and Non Homo Sapiens Species.