Observance of World Environment Day

One of the greatest problems that the society is facing today is environmental pollution which is increasing day by day, causing irreparable damages to the earth. The world Health Organization (WHO) reports that one fourth of the diseases, the masses facing today, occur due to increased exposure to environmental pollution. To emphasize the link between environmental pollution and public health, it was on June 5, 1972 that the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was formed. And since 1973 it is being celebrated every year on this day as the World Environment Day (WED) to mark the Global deforestation which is continually increasing at an alarming rate. World Environment Day is a big celebration which engages millions of people across the globe through various events in over 70 countries to tackle environment pollution. This is the United Nations' principal event to promote worldwide awareness and actions for the environment. On this day, usually people do something positive and generate exponential positive impact on the environment which is the hour of need. Indian Government has already announced that India will cut carbon intensity by 25% by year 2020 and made its position clear on the climate change. India was selected as the host of World Environment Day 2011 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP also confers international awards - The 'Champions of the Earth', 'The Seeds Awards', 'UNEP Sasakawa Prize', among others - to individuals or organizations on World Environment Day based on their performance to combat climate change. This year, media and many celebrities have also encouraged World Environment Day Celebrations by endorsing and taking part in this event passionately. WED is the opportunity for everyone to realize not only the responsibility to care for the Earth but this is a means to tackle environmental challenges that include climate change, global warming, and environmental governance etc. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year about 25 children in the United States suffocate due to plastic bags and even worse situation is in India. When polythene bags are burned, they produce toxic fumes and pollute the air. World Environment Day has received tremendous support from the public, non-profit organizations and governments around the world. Based on the same theme, the confluence of all religions, Dera Sacha Sauda has pioneered in taking efficient steps for healthy environment. Volunteers of Dera Sacha Sauda and members of Shah Satnam Ji Green 'S' Welfare Force wing viz. young, old, doctors, engineers, professionals, students or from any other profile collectively organize Clean up Campaigns, Tree-Planting Drives, and many more events, to caring for the planet. They also motivate people to take up tree plantation, using the left over stalks as fodder, reduce use of plastic, and take other similar measures to protect the environment. Noteworthy, the volunteers not only from India participate in such events, rather this is being done on a wider level i.e. they are conducting such campaigns of rivers and beach cleaning, tree plantation etc. to improve the quality of life of all living beings, in their respective countries also. His Holiness Revered Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim singh Ji Insan has been spearheading 102 Humanitarian Activities. Here, is a brief description about the welfare works relating to environment. Cleanse Campaign Promoting cleanliness and hygiene by encouraging people to keep the environment clean; Dera Sacha Sauda regularly organizes Mega cleanliness campaigns in different cities which are led by Guruji Himself. Nature Campaign Making people aware and encouraging them to save trees and to plant & nurture more saplings for the coming generations to live in a healthy environment. People are also provided with saplings for plantation. Protection Encouraging farmers to use the left over stalks as fodder for animals instead of burning it. It will be useful in for animals and save the environment too. Bye-Bye Ethene Totally giving up the use of polythene and switching to cloth bags. Pollution Free Environment Checking Pollution by making manure out of agri-waste instead of burning the fodder in the fields. Welfare from Bony Cremation Remnants The human remains, especially the bony part, are used to nurture and sustain saplings that grow into trees, thereby ending pollution. DSS's Tree Plantation Drive Sets Guinness Book of World Record thrice: A Milestone The Tree Plantation campaign by Dera Sacha Sauda has entered the Guinness Book of World Record thrice for a novel effort: for planting more than 9,30,007 saplings in one hour only and 68,73,451 plants in eight hours in a single day, on August 15, 2009. Furthermore, by planting 35,36,263 plants in a day and 19,45,535 saplings in just one hour Dera Sacha Sauda again gets its name recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record. Amazing figures of Tree Plantation by DSS in the recent years:

Year	No of Saplings
August 15, 2009	68,73,451
August 15, 2010	43,00,157
August 15, 2011	40,00,000
August 15, 2012	31,21,203
August 15, 2013	35,36,263

  Cleanse the Planet Earth to Remove Disease and Curse-A unique initiative To counteract the increasing pollution and diseases, Revered Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan gave a rousing call to clean Delhi, being the national capital. Thus, the series of Mega Cleanliness Earth Campaigns by Dera Sacha Sauda was started across the globe. Hitherto, 27 Mega Cleanliness Campaigns have been conducted in several states of India under the holy auspices of Revered Guru Ji and millions of citizens have pledged to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings by signing pledge forms. DSS ready for pollution free rivers: Revered Saint Gurmeet Ram Singh Ji Insan and members of Dera Sacha Sauda have already cleaned the Holy River Ganga. And the proposal for cleaning other rivers is also in process; just the permission from Government authorities is required. Note: All these activities are carried out to spread eco-awareness and increase green footprint all around.