Addressing media here via video-conferencing from Washington D.C., EcoSikh convenor Rajwant Singh said the Ropar district deputy commissioner has issued an order banning the use of plastics and other pollutants during Hola Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib, 90 km from here. He said Takht Keshgarh Sahib head priest Tarlochan Singh also has sent out an appeal to shun plastic and is planning to lead a nature march in Kiratpur Sahib, 10 km from Anandpur Sahib.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival held in March to coincide with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. It is held at Anandpur Sahib, home to the second holiest Sikh shrine, Keshgarh Sahib, the birthplace (April 13, 1699) of "Khalsa", the modern day Sikh religion. Sikh environment activist and preacher Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib, who was present at the press conference here, said: "We have to seek guidance from the Gurbani and also from the life of Guru Har Rai ji to work for greater good."

"Working for the restoration of nature is one big way to serve humanity and the coming generations. I congratulate EcoSikh for this initiative of mobilising the Sikh community worldwide for one purpose of environmental activism," he said. EcoSikh came into existence as an answer to a call by the United Nations to world religions to contribute to environmental restoration.

"Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib are the only hilly sacred sites of the Sikhs and we must protect their serene surroundings and natural beauty for the coming generations," Rajwant Singh said. EcoSikh project manager for India Ravneet Singh said: "All major Sikh institutions -- such as the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Sukrit, Akal Purakh ki Fauj, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Gurmat Gian Missionary College and many others -- have joined to celebrate this day with their individual plan of action."

EcoSikh urged the community and other people to plant trees March 14 (Monday) to observe the Sikh environment day and not to use plastics and other polluting materials. Rajwant Singh added: "In the Sikh diaspora, gurdwaras from Canada to Malaysia will be participating in observing the Sikh environment day." "In Connecticut, in the US, the Connecticut Sikh Association will be celebrating the day with plans to install solar panels in their new gurdwara to reduce energy costs by USD 15,000 per year," he said.

"In British Columbia, Canada, Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Sukh Sagar Gurdwara Sahib will be hosting a community environmental clean-up, a tree plantation drive and distribute plants," he said.