MerryHarris567 at 11:34, 13 April 2026

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{{Short description|Sikh environmental organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = EcoSikh
| formation = 2009
| logo = EcoSikh logo.jpg
| type = Environmental organization
| headquarters = 2621 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD 20902 (U.S. Office) 94, Block E, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab 141012 (Indian Office)
| key_people = Rajwant Singh
| website = {{URL|ecosikh.org}}
}}

'''EcoSikh''' is a [[Sikhism|Sikh]] environmental organization.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Prill |first=Susan E. |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |date=27 March 2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191004117 |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Pashaura |pages=223–234 |chapter=19. Ecotheology |editor-last2=Fenech |editor-first2=Louis E.}}</ref> It is the most prominent Sikh environmental organization working on global environmental issues.<ref name=":0" /> It has been one of the foremost organizations promoting Sikhism as a "green" religion.<ref name=":0" /> Using Bron Taylor's framework of green religion, EcoSikh can be understood as positioning environmentally conscious behavior, such as planting trees, as religious obligation grounded in the principle of ''Sevā'' or selfless service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-18 |title=Sikh Statement on Climate Change - EcoSikh |url=https://ecosikh.org/sikh-statement-on-climate-change/,%20https://ecosikh.org/sikh-statement-on-climate-change/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Bron |url=https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520944459 |title=Dark Green Religion |date=2009-11-03 |publisher=University of California Press |doi=10.1525/9780520944459 |isbn=978-0-520-94445-9}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Background ===
Antecedents of Sikh forays into environmentalism can be found within the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] itself.<ref name=":0" /> The second ''[[shloka]]'' of the ''[[Japji Sahib]]'' of [[Guru Nanak]] stresses on the importance of living in-harmony with nature.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, [[Guru Har Rai]] taught that the environment should be cared for by Sikhs.<ref name=":0" /> The ''[[sarbat da bhala]]'' philosophy of Sikhs calls upon them to promote the well-being of all.<ref name=":0" />

Some earlier Sikh organizations and movements that delved into environmental efforts include [[Pingalwara]], established by [[Bhagat Puran Singh]], whom had pro-environmental inclinations.<ref name=":0" /> [[Balbir Singh Seechewal]] of the [[Nirmala (sect)|Nirmala sect]], spearheaded the movement to clean-up the [[Kali Bein]] rivulet in the year 2000 and also raised awareness on the condition of the [[Buddha Nullah]].<ref name=":0" /> [[Baba Sewa Singh|Sewa Singh]], director of the Nishan-e-Sikhi Charitable Trust based in [[Khadur Sahib]], supervised the distribution and planting of hundreds of thousands of [[Tree planting|tree saplings]], including along the roadways of Khadur Sahib.<ref name=":0" />

=== Establishment ===
EcoSikh was established in 2009 through a partnership with the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE).<ref name=":0" /> The establishment of the organization was influenced by the [[United Nations Development Programme]] and the [[Alliance of Religions and Conservation]] initiatives.<ref name=":0" /> The founder of EcoSikh is Rajwant Singh, who is the Global President.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Gurjot |date=15 March 2022 |title=EcoSikh Completes Planting 400 Sacred Forests all across the globe on Sikh Environment Day 2022 |url=https://www.sikhnet.com/news/ecosikh-completes-planting-400-sacred-forests-all-across-globe-sikh-environment-day-2022 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=SikhNet}}</ref>

=== Activities ===
EcoSikh primarily operates in the Indian state of Punjab but also conducts global projects.<ref name=":0" /> EcoSikh is working towards the "greening" of [[gurdwara]]s by reducing disposable wastage in the langar halls by introducing environmentally-friendly alternatives.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, they are working toward the "greening" of the areas in-vicinity to the [[Golden Temple]] in Amritsar.<ref name=":0" /> Other activities of EcoSikh include general cleanup drives, solar panel installations, and seminar events.<ref name=":0" /> EcoSikh aims to change individual Sikh attitudes and behaviours toward the environment, and the promotion of a healthy eco-friendly environment surrounding gurdwara complexes.<ref name=":0" />

Since 2013, EcoAmritsar, an initiative of EcoSikh based in [[Amritsar]], has been providing instruction on the organization of green ''[[nagar kirtan]]s'', such as by recommending the usage of usage and collection of biodegradable plates and cutlery made from leaves and the serving of organic-based ''[[Langar (Sikhism)|langars]]''.<ref name=":0" />

EcoSikh reportedly was involved in over 1,500 activities in the year 2013.<ref name=":0" />

In 2013, a painting by Rahi Mohinder Singh was gifted to EcoSikh which depicts Guru Har Rai giving a tree to a petitioner to plant, however the tree species portrayed in the painting is an [[eucalyptus]], a [[Introduced species|non-native species]] that was not found during the lifetime of Guru Har Rai, making the painting [[Anachronism|anachronistic]].<ref name=":0" />

In May 2017, the EcoSikh proposed the establishment of a 100-acre "sacred forest" around the shrine of [[Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur|Gurdwara Darbar Sahib]] in [[Kartarpur, Pakistan|Kartarpur]], [[Pakistan]] to celebrate the then upcoming 550th [[Guru Nanak Gurpurab]] celebrations slated for 2019.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Rana |first=Yudhvir |date=9 May 2017 |title='Sacred' forest mooted for Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/sacred-forest-mooted-for-gurdwara-kartarpur-sahib/articleshow/58586287.cms |accessdate=27 May 2017 |work=Times of India}}</ref> Rajwant Singh, president of EcoSikh, also expressed dreams of developing the site as an eco-tourism hub, alongside the sacred forest proposal.<ref name=":2" /> EcoSikh also suggested a botanical garden could be established at Kartarpur instead of a sacred forest.<ref name=":2" /> Alongside the sacred forest suggestion, it was proposed that efforts covering organic farming, install a solar panel installation, dedicated forest areas, amid others, should be considered for Kartarpur.<ref name=":2" /> The Guru Nanak Sacred Forests mission of EcoSikh was launched in 2019.<ref name=":0" />

EcoSikh also operates a branch in Canada, known as 'EcoSikh Canada'.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=About EcoSikh Canada |url=https://www.ecosikh.ca/about-ecosikh-canada |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=EcoSikh Canada}}</ref> In 2019, EcoSikh Canada planted hundreds of trees in the areas of [[Brampton]] and [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], [[Ontario]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yuen |first=Kelda |date=2 November 2019 |title=Sikh community planting hundreds of trees in Brampton, Scarborough this weekend |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/sikh-community-planting-hundreds-of-trees-in-brampton-scarborough-this-weekend-1.5345776 |archive-url= |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=CBC News}}</ref> 550 trees were specifically planted in the city of Brampton to celebrate the 550th [[Guru Nanak Gurpurab]] celebration.<ref name=":6" /> This was followed by another 550 trees planted in Scarborough.<ref name=":6" /> Roop Sidhu, founder of the Canadian chapter of EcoSikh, claimed that EcoSikh had planted 10,000 trees across Canada by 12 November 2019 and further plan to have planted 55,000 trees across Canada by 2021.<ref name=":6" />

Aside from Punjab, EcoSikh has also planted trees in other Indian states and regions, such as [[Haryana]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Delhi]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]], and in [[Jammu division|Jammu]].<ref name=":7" />

On 14 March 2022 (Sikh Environment Day), EcoSikh planted 1,150 trees in [[Ireland]], 500 trees in [[Derbyshire]], United Kingdom, and 250 trees in [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], [[British Columbia|B.C.]]<ref name=":7" />

EcoSikh has opened a new segment of industrial forests under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), where producers and corporations can lower their carbon footprint with affordable price and minimum land investment.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Our Team Members - Our USA Board Members |url=https://ecosikh.org/about/contact/team-members/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=EcoSikh |date=14 December 2020 }}</ref>

EcoSikh maintains its own plant nursery at Sajjan Precision Castings, Sahnewal, Punjab, India.<ref name=":8" />

In January 2024, EcoSikh was honoured in the category of 'Sikhs in Charity' at the 12th Sikh Awards, held at Bel La monde Hotel in New Delhi.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=23 January 2024 |title=EcoSikh Awarded for Environmental Work |url=https://www.sikhnet.com/news/ecosikh-awarded-environmental-work |archive-url= |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=SikhNet}}</ref> EcoSikh made a commitment to plant 1 million trees by 2025.<ref name=":9" />

EcoSikh currently operates in five countries.<ref name=":8" /> EcoSikh has been invited by the White House, the Vatican, the United Nations, and many other international platforms.<ref name=":9" />

==== Sikh Environment Day ====
[[File:EcoSikh Sikh Environment Day2012-Gurdwara Ameerpet Hyderabad(5).jpg|thumb|EcoSikh event on Sikh Environment Day 2012 at Gurdwara Ameerpet in Hyderabad. The local congregation brought ornamental plants to the gurdwara's premises.]]In 2011, EcoSikh established the celebration of Sikh Environment Day, known in Punjabi as 'Sikh Vatavaran Divas' ({{Langx|pa|Sikha vātāvarana divasa}}).<ref name=":0" /> The 14th of March was the date selected to celebrate Sikh Environment Day because it was the anniversary date of Guru Har Rai's ''[[Guru Gaddi|gurgaddi]]'' (ascension to the guruship).<ref name=":0" /> In 2013, the president of EcoSikh described Guru Har Rai as the "green guru", emphasizing the Sikh guru's close-bond with nature, in a press-release statement.<ref name=":0" /> Sikh Environment Day has been adopted by many important gurdwaras, such as [[Hazur Sahib|Takht Hazur Sahib]], one of the {{lang|pa-Latn|[[Panj Takht]]}}, in [[Nanded]].<ref name=":0" /> It has also been adopted amongst [[Sikh diaspora|diasporic Sikh]] gurdwaras, such as ones located in [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Sikhism in Singapore|Singapore]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2013, leaders of all the five {{lang|pa-Latn|takht}}s of Sikhism formally endorsed Sikh Environment Day.<ref name=":0" /> The ''[[jathedar]]'' of Takht Hazur Sahib promoted tree planting activities to be held on Sikh Environment Day.<ref name=":0" />

==== Guru Nanak Sacred Forests ====
EcoSikh has planted many "mini-forests", composed of [[Native species|native plant species]], in the state of [[Punjab, India]] using the Japanese [[Akira Miyawaki|Miyawaki methodology]], that are named 'Guru Nanak Sacred Forests'.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Zutshi |first=Minna |date=25 October 2020 |title=EcoSikh's Guru Nanak Sacred Forests: A reason to cheer for Ludhiana district |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/ecosikhs-guru-nanak-sacred-forests-a-reason-to-cheer-for-ludhiana-district-161221 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501191348/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/ecosikhs-guru-nanak-sacred-forests-a-reason-to-cheer-for-ludhiana-district-161221 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=The Tribune, India}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The Guru Nanak Sacred Forests mission was launched in 2019 in-collaboration with ''Afforestt'' to coincide with the 550th birth celebrations of Guru Nanak.<ref name=":0" /> The ultimate goal for the mission is to plant one million trees using the methods devised by Akira Miyawaki.<ref name=":0" /> In-short, the method is distinguished from conventional tree-planting methods in that Miyakawi planting has a much smaller distance between the planted saplings, allowing for the faster maturation of the forest.<ref name=":0" />

EcoSikh claims that its Guru Nanak Sacred Forests are 30 times more dense, have a 10 times higher growth rate, are 100 times more biodiverse, are cost-effective, easily maintainable, and are chemical pesticide-free.<ref name=":1" /> EcoSikh project manager for South Asia, Ravneet Singh, explains that the Miyawaki method helps grow dense and native forests through the plantation of dozens of native-species of flora within the same vicinity, after which the forest becomes maintenance-free after a period of three years.<ref name=":1" /> The forests provide habitat for wild animals and help improve soil quality of the area.<ref name=":1" /> The soil of the forests are extensively mulched to improve the micro-organisms & small animals inhabiting the soil and it assists with regulating the soil temperature.<ref name=":1" /> EcoSikh believes every plot of land has the potential of being transformed into a forest.<ref name=":1" />

The steps for establishing a Guru Nanak Sacred Forest are as follows:<ref name=":1" />

* Select a fenced plot that is suitable for plantation with underground and overhead clearance.<ref name=":1" />
* Test the soil for its capacity of water retention, perforation and organic content.<ref name=":1" />
* The required biomass is selected and mixed to stabilise all the above requirements.<ref name=":1" />
* The forest bed is carefully prepped, including levelling of the land.<ref name=":1" />
* Quantification and procurement of indigenous species of the local area is undertaken.<ref name=":1" />
* The native species are distributed and planted following a layered structure as per the Miyawaki method.<ref name=":1" />

[[Ludhiana district]] contains a large amount of these sacred forest projects, despite heavy environmental concerns related to pollution in the district.<ref name=":1" /> In a low-lying, industrial-area of [[Ludhiana]] city, EcoSikh claims that even after water-logging and oil-spill events, 80% of its planted forest's trees survived these environmentally adverse incidents, showing the resilience of the forests.<ref name=":1" />

In 2020, nearly a hundred Guru Nanak Sacred Forests had been planted in Punjab.<ref name=":1" /> By 2021, EcoSikh had established over three-hundred Guru Nanak Sacred Forests, primarily in Punjab.<ref name=":0" /> These mini-forests are home to 150,000 indigenous species of flora, providing habitat for insect and bird species.<ref name=":0" /> Some of the Guru Nanak Sacred Forests are located in urban areas, which are claimed to assist with improving the area's air quality and restoring biodiversity.<ref name=":0" />

By 2024, EcoSikh had planted over 850 forests in Punjab.<ref name=":9" />

By the end of March 2026, EcoSikh has completed plantation of 1580 forests across multiple states in India<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pavneet |first=Singh |title=Guru Nanak Sacred Forest |url=https://ecosikh.org/guru-nanak-sacred-forest/#:~:text=1580%2B%20micro%20forests%20comprising%20of%209%2C00%2C000%C2%A0thriving%20native%20trees%20have%20been%20planted%20in%20Punjab%2CHImachal%2C%20Rajasthan%2C%20Gujarat%2C%20Maharashtra%2C%20Delhi%2C%20Chandigarh%2C%20Jammu%20and%20Kashmir. |url-status=live |access-date= |website=Ecosikh.org}}</ref>

==== Guru Granth Sahib Bagh ====
The ''Guru Granth Sahib Bagh'' is an initiative of EcoSikh, working in-collaboration with PETALS, regarding the establishment and upkeeping of a garden near the historical Sikh shrine, Gurusar Sahib, located in [[Moga district]].<ref name=":0" /> The garden was inaugurated in September 2021 and contains all fifty-eight plant species that find mention by name within the [[Shabda|hymns]] of the Guru Granth Sahib.<ref name=":0" /> Each plant is accompanied by a stone with an engraving containing the relevant excerpt from the Sikh scripture mentioning the specie.<ref name=":0" />

==== Naulakha Bagh ====
A traditional Sikh garden located in [[Kiratpur Sahib|Kiratpur]], known as Naulakha Bagh, was believed to have been founded and cared for by Guru Har Rai during his guruship period.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=31 January 2013 |title=Sikhs Reviving Historical Naulakha Bagh of Guru Har Rai on His 383rd Birth Anniversary |url=https://ecosikh.org/sikhs-reviving-historical-naulakha-bagh-of-guru-har-rai-on-his-383rd-birth-anniversary/ |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=EcoSikh}}</ref> EcoSikh has been involved in a project to restore this garden.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> EcoSikh is coordinating with other Sikh organizations, such as Shree Ganga Nursery, Shree Ganga Nursery Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Nishan-e-Sikhi.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The project aims to emphasize [[medicinal plants]], which will help revive native, traditional medicinal knowledge.<ref name=":0" />

==== Ek Bageecha ====
EcoSikh has compiled an online [[anthology]] titled ''Eak Bageecha'' (meaning "one garden") on "green ''[[gurbani]]''" compositions that discuss the environment, as found in [[Sikh scriptures]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Gurbani |url=https://ecosikh.org/inspiration/gurbani/ |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=EcoSikh |date=22 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Sikh Eco Quotes |url=http://www.arcworld.org/faiths4f62.html?pageID=172 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC)}}</ref> The title of the anthology references a composition of Guru Arjan which symbolizes the guru as a gardener taking care of mythical plants imbued with the ''[[Naam Japo|Naam]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, this divine gardener serves as a role-model for humanity to recognize the divinity present in all things and to be stewards of them.<ref name=":0" /> The anthology contains works praising the natural beauty of the world and that divinity can be found across the Earth's ecosystems, from oceans to deserts.<ref name=":0" />

One of the selected "green gurbani" compositions found in the anthology, authored by [[Guru Arjan]] in ''[[Asa (raga)|Raga Asa]]'', is as follows:<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
{{Blockquote|text=There is a garden. It has so many plants created within it. And each bears the sweet-nectared Naam as its fruit. {{!}}{{!}}1{{!}}{{!}} Consider this, O wise one, In this garden you may seek the means by which to attain eternal bliss. O brothers and sisters of Destiny, This garden has dark pools of poison here and there, But it also contains the ambrosial nectar within it. {{!}}{{!}}1{{!}}{{!}}Pause{{!}}{{!}} There is only one gardener who tends it. He takes care of every leaf and branch. {{!}}{{!}}2{{!}}{{!}} He brought all these plants and planted them there. They all bear fruit – none is without fruit. {{!}}{{!}}3{{!}}{{!}} The one who receives the ambrosial fruit of the Naam From the Guru – O Nanak, Such a servant has a way to pass over the ocean of illusion. {{!}}{{!}}4{{!}}{{!}}5{{!}}{{!}}56{{!}}{{!}}|author=Guru Arjan, translated by Albel Singh|title=Guru Granth Sahib}}

== People involved ==
* Rajwant Singh – Founder and Global President<ref name=":8" />
* Gunpreet Singh – President<ref name=":8" />
* Rasna Kaur – Executive Director<ref name=":8" />
* Inderpreet Singh – Executive Director<ref name=":8" />
* Manpreet Singh – Secretary<ref name=":8" />
* Bhavdeep Bajaj – Treasurer<ref name=":8" />
* Charan Singh – Convener (Sacred Forests and Sacred Fauna Mission)<ref name=":8" />
* Supreet Kaur – EcoSikh India President<ref name=":7" />
* Pavneet Singh – Head of Operations (India)<ref name=":7" />

== Relation to Sikh principle of ''Sevā'' ==
''Sevā'' is one of the principle pillars of the Sikh faith.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Anoop |last2=Dutta |first2=Sumedha |date=2023-09-04 |title=The Concept of Seva in Sikhism and its Practice for Holistic Well-being: An Analysis |url=https://www.ijfmr.com/research-paper.php?id=6109 |journal=International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research |volume=5 |issue=5 |article-number=6109 |doi=10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i05.6109 |issn=2582-2160|doi-access=free }}</ref> ''Sevā'' denotes selfless service and civic virtue in the organization and in society.<ref name=":10" /> In Sikhism, ''Sevā'' is defined as voluntary service without expectation of anything in return and for the welfare of others.<ref name=":10" /> There are many different types of ''Sevā'' which are the following: ''Sevā'' rendered through one's body (''tan''), ''Sevā'' rendered through one's mind (''man''), ''Sevā'' rendered through one's wealth (''dan''). Even though all three modes are equally important, the Sikh Gurus emphasize that all ''Sevā'' should be performed without desire (''nishkam''), without intentions (''nishkapat''), and with humility (''nimarta'').<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Virdee |first=Gurmit Singh |date=June 2005 |title=Labour of love: Kar seva at Darbar Sahib's Amrit Sarover |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17448720500231409 |journal=Sikh Formations |language=en |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=13–28 |doi=10.1080/17448720500231409 |issn=1744-8727|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

EcoSikh makes it clear that they see their work as a form of sevā.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2019-09-18 |title=Sikh Statement on Climate Change - EcoSikh |url=https://ecosikh.org/sikh-statement-on-climate-change/,%20https://ecosikh.org/sikh-statement-on-climate-change/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Sevā'' can be done by reducing carbon footprints, recycling, investing in renewable energies, and being mindful where food comes from.<ref name=":11" />

== International chapters ==
* EcoSikh India
* EcoSikh U.S.A.
* EcoSikh Canada
* EcoSikh U.K.
* EcoSikh Ireland

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://ecosikh.org/ EcoSikh homepage]
* [https://www.ecosikh.ca/ EcoSikh Canada homepage]
* [https://ecosikhuk.org/ EcoSikh United Kingdom homepage]
* [https://www.ecosikhireland.org/ EcoSikh Ireland homepage]
* [https://ecosikh.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eak-Bageecha-EcoSikh.pdf Eak Bageecha – Introduction in English]
* [https://ecosikh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Eak-BageechaG.pdf Eak Bageecha – Punjabi]

[[Category:Sikh organisations]]
[[Category:Environmental organizations established in 2009]]
[[Category:Environmental organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Environmental organizations based in the United States]]

EcoSikh - Revision history

MerryHarris567 at 11:34, 13 April 2026