A flurry of environment related events activities organized by the Sikh Green Team has left the local Sikh community energized and armed with knowledge to make a significant impact on preserving our natural environment. Initiatives such as Sikh Environment Day and Earth Hour at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara received a great deal of support from the local community. The Sikh Green Team is comprised of local youth who are committed to educating the local community regarding our environmental impact as well as actively organizing community clean ups, recycling programs, and tree plantings.
This month’s activities were inspired by global Sikh Environment Day which was celebrated on March 14th. This global event which was spearheaded by a group called EcoSikh was aimed at taking the plea of the environment to the Sikh community. The seventh master Sri Guru Har Rai Ji was the inspiration behind this event who had a great deal of admiration for the natural environment. Sikh Environment Day has been officially recognized by the Sikh’s highest authority the Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sikhs across the globe were urged to seed at least one plant to mark this day.
Local Sikh Environment Day festivities from March 12th to 14th included community clean ups in both New Westminster and Surrey where large groups of volunteers fanned out to various neighborhoods to pick up garbage and litter. The Sikh Green Team also participated in evasive tree removal at Hume Park in New Westminster and also distributed over 500 tree saplings to Sikh congregations in Surrey and New Westminster.
The Sikh Green Team also participated in the World Wildlife Fund’s global event, Earth Hour. The lights were turned off on March 26th at 8:30pm at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a special candle light mediation took place – all in dedication to the energy preservation. The night was capped off by a prayer where the congregation prayed for the preservation of our natural environment.
The outpour of support from the local community has been encouraging for the Sikh Green Team as they map out plans for a recycling program for the upcoming Vaisakhi Parades.
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