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| Sikh Environment Day |
| In 2015, Sikhs worldwide will be celebrating the 5th annual worldwide Sikh Vatavaran Diwas (Sikh Environment day) during the week of March 14th. This day marks the New Year in the Sikh calendar and the Gurgaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji, who is remembered in Sikh history for his deep sensitivity to nature and its preservation.
Last year, over 2,000 Gurdwaras, schools, and organizations were involved in Sikh Environment Day, sharing what the gift of air, land, and water means to them!
By joining in, Sikhs across the world will share what the environment means to them, and raise awareness about the state of ecology across their spiritual homeland, Punjab. Major Sikh bodies, including the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee will send messages throughout Punjab inviting all Gurdwaras to participate. Celebrations will also take place at Anandpur Sahib and hundreds of schools throughout Punjab. This is an annual celebration planned by EcoSikh, an organization that was created as the Sikh community’s contribution to the 2009 Plans for Generational Change project, initiated by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) . The project works with the major world religions on long-term plans to improve their relationship with the environment. Gurdwaras and other participating bodies and organizations will also receive a compilation of selected shabads on the environment along with the Sikh Environment Day (Vatavaran Diwas) toolkit so that they can participate fully and actively in the March 14th celebrations. Everyone is encouraged to register as early as possible through an online form on the EcoSikh website. Sikh Environment Day Report, 2011. Sikh Environment Day Report, 2012 Sikh Environment Day Report, 2013 Other useful links for SED-2015 at EcoSikh: Registration for Sikh Environment Day 2015 Eak Bageecha compilation of Gurbani hymns about the natural world with intro in Punjabi or English SED Timeline from 2012 and 2013 SED Pledge Form for sangat 10 minute Eco-Assembly for schools in English and Punjabi SED poster for notice boards in English and Punjabi Reports from SED-2013, SED-2012 and SED-2011 How to raise and care for a plant in your home or garden. |
This year we plan to reach Gurdwaras, schools, and organizations in Punjab and the Diaspora holding events celebrating the message of ‘Pavan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat.’ From divaans to tree plantings, to installing solar panels to hosting workshops, from gardening to hearing stories from our elders, the day is a time for Sikhs to celebrate their connection with the environment.