Washington, Jan 30 (IANS) An international Sikh group has appealed to all Sikh gurdwaras and institutions to celebrate March 14, the day Guru Har Rai became the 7th Sikh Guru in 1644 AD, as Sikh Environment Day.

EcoSikh said it has received confirmation of participation from many Sikh institutions in India and abroad. EcoSikh has also launched a website for gurdwaras and Sikh institutions to register their participation internationally.

Guru Har Rai is known to be a great humanitarian who had special sensitivity towards nature preservation and animal well being.
He maintained an extensive herbal garden for medicinal purposes for the benefit of the masses in Kiratpur Sahib, his birth place and his spiritual centre near Anandpur Sahib.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of Washington based Sikh Council on Religion and Education and convener of EcoSikh, said: "Guru Har Rai ji inspired Sikhs to care for nature and his legacy provides one of the most inspiring models for our ecological consciousness especially when earth is facing crisis due to human carelessness.

"His birth anniversary is on January 31st and we would like every Sikh to prepare to celebrate March 14th as Sikh Environment Day dedicated to nature preservation as a tribute to Guru Har Rai."

"This will be our way to partake in making mother earth liveable and lovable for future generations!" he said.

Bandana Kaur, New York based Programme Director of EcoSikh in USA, said: By joining the celebrations, gurdwaras in the diaspora will also be expressing their support to over 100 gurdwaras in India that will use the day to raise awareness about the state of ecology across their spiritual homeland"