Sikh leaders unveil ‘green’ plan Community response to check climate change

The Tribune , Monday, July 06, 2009
Correspondent : Tribune News Service
In an initiative aimed at ensuring active community participation to address ecological issues of global concern, delegates from the United Nations and Sikh leaders from various parts of the country as well as abroad met to chalk out an eco-friendly plan.

They met at an event titled EcoSikh Conclave, which was organised at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on July 4.

At the conference, they endorsed a five-year “greening” plan, which includes a long-term commitment to transform gurdwaras and schools into ecologically sound buildings in terms of energy and the types of building material used, besides incorporating environmental education into Sikh education curricula.

The summit on environment, organised by the USA-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), was attended by UN Assistant Secretary-General Olav Kjorven and Victoria Finlay of the UK-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), among others.

“EcoSikh”, a five-year plan crafted by SCORE, envisages the dissemination of environment-related knowledge among the Sikh community in India and abroad to develop environmental activism.

The UN Assistant Secretary-General, who is also the UNDP Director of Development Policy, said: “Throughout history religions have helped people and civilisations interpret and understand events around them and to respond to new challenges in the light of their spiritual heritage and moral compass,” and added that “Now, when we’re facing the challenge of securing a livable planet for our children and safeguarding creation as we know it, the leadership of religions is indispensable.”

“Sikhism teaches us to be environmentally conscious and this conference with the UN was an opportunity for the Sikhs to demonstrate to the world that we are ready to translate our beliefs into action,” said Dr Rajwant Singh, the chairman of SCORE.

Dr Singh said they had also launched a website www.ecosikh.org to initiate worldwide participation of Sikhs in this movement.

Among those who attended the conclave were a Union Cabinet member, Dr Manohar Singh Gill, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary Dilmegh Singh, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna, a former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Kuldeep Singh, MP Tarlochan Singh, Manjit Singh, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) - Delhi president, Maj-Gen MS Chadha, and Sikh Forum secretary RS Chatwal.

Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, Baba Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former Jathedar Manjit Singh and Punjab secretary DS Jaspal were honoured for their environmental activism. Dr Farooq Beg from Pakistan, who has documented trees associated with Sikh Gurus, was also present.

 
SOURCE : Monday, July 06, 2009
 


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