Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, Mar 5: In a significant stride towards merging faith with environmental stewardship, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), in collaboration with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), successfully executed a comprehensive 'Plastic-Free Hola Mohalla' campaign. The initiative aimed to preserve the sanctity of the historic Sikh festival while championing environmental cleanliness in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Under this pioneering campaign, the PPCB facilitated a large-scale shift to eco-friendly practices by providing lakhs of high-quality biodegradable and compostable disposable utensils and other items free of cost to various Langar Committees (community kitchens) across the holy town.
Providing details, an official spokesperson of Punjab Government stated that the campaign was formally inaugurated on March 1, 2026. A delegation led by PPCB Chairperson, Mrs. Reena Gupta, and Member Secretary, Mr. Lavneet Dubey, formally launched the drive after Meeting with Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. The department's groundwork for this campaign began weeks in advance, involving extensive coordination with Langar Committees to assess requirements and liaising with the district administration for seamless execution.
To effectively curb the use of single-use plastic during the festival, the PPCB ensured the supply of over 20 lakh high-quality biodegradable alternatives. The eco-friendly distribution included 7 lakh biodegradable plastic cups, 6.5 lakh biodegradable spoons, 2.5 lakh biodegradable plates, 5 lakh biodegradable bowls, 5,000 biodegradable garbage bags, 30,000 biodegradable carry bags (specifically for Karah Prashad)
The on-ground success of the campaign was driven by the dedication of 20 specialized teams comprising PPCB officials and volunteers. These teams worked tirelessly in the field from February 27 to March 4, 2026, ensuring the alternatives reached every corner of the langar operations.
"Guru Sahib's universal message, 'Pavan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat', intrinsically teaches us to conserve our natural resources," said Ms. Reena Gupta, Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. "Therefore, for the Punjab Pollution Control Board, there could be no more meaningful initiative than protecting the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib from plastic pollution during the sacred occasion of Hola Mohalla. We are grateful to the SGPC and all the volunteers for making this vision a reality."
The campaign has been widely praised by devotees and community leaders for setting a powerful precedent for how large-scale religious gatherings can adopt sustainable practices without compromising on service. |
