Living creatures which disappeared are now returning to sacred forests in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The unique endeavour of EcoSikh, international environmental organization, of establishing 58 Guru Nanak sacred forests over a period of 200 days, has borne fruit with 98% of them surviving and thriving. President and members of the organization shared this report with media with regard to growing 550 trees in each of these sacred forests to sync with 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and also meet the target of plantation of one million (ten lakh) trees by 2020 .
The EcoSikh team claimed that since the forests have been set up with trees and vegetation of native species, the biodiversity is getting restored. Many living creatures which had almost disappeared are making their presence felt. The birds like Golden Oriole, Greater Coucal, Laughing Dove and butterflies like Crow Euploea Core, Common Wanderer, Grass Jewel have returned to these forests.
Dr Rajwant Singh, global president of EcoSikh said, “Many living creatures starting from insects to butterflies to birds and animals which had almost disappeared from Punjab with the massive decline in forest areas are now seen frolicking in the new sacred forests established over 200 days. This has improved soil fertility and ground water table as well.” He said that initiative to plant 550 trees at 1820 locations to attain the target of one million trees is going strong, with communities in other countries like Canada, Pakistan, Australia, USA, Mayanmar and UK too joining the same mission with them.
EcoSikh project manager of South Asia, Ravneet Singh said that the work on creation of forests will continue during winters as the Miyawaki technique of plantation remains effective even during the winter season. “It is for the very first time, EcoSikh has created a unique garden of the trees mentioned in the Sikh scriptures, aptly named as Guru Nanak Bagh, at Patto Hira Singh in Moga city,” he further added.
Devender Singh, member from Mexico apprised about Kalgidhar Academy, which runs 136 schools in Punjab, agreeing to provide land in their 50 schools to grow sacred forests. He said that Nirmal Ashram too assured land in Banga town and, so did Bhair Veer Singh Memorial in Punjab.
“Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies found that 90% plantation drive prove futile in India. We won't let that happen in our case with proper monitoring and maintenance of plantation,” he said.
Convener, Charan Singh from Mumbai said that EcoSikh has trained a battery of volunteers in the art of creating forest with the help of Shubhendu Sharma, who pioneered Miyawaki technique of forest creation in India. This force set up sacred forests in other states like Hayana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, J&K, Maharashtra and also in Kasur, Pakistan.
EcoSikh was formed in 2009 in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. The organisation is marking the 10 years of its commitment to restore the ecology and engaging youth in this endeavor.