According to The Statesman “ EcoSikh, a global non-governmental organization and a response from the Sikh community to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, has unveiled an ambitious plan to revive the Baaj, the raptor closely associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a 140-year-old Mumbai-based institution, aims to rehabilitate the Baaj (Northern Goshawk), Punjab’s official state bird, along with the Shaheen Baaj (Peregrine Falcon). In addition, EcoSikh announced its campaign to plant 350 Sacred Forests to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Both announcements were made at a press conference held at the Press Club, Chandigarh, on Wednesday.
Dr Rajwant Singh, Global President of EcoSikh, stated, “The soaring bird of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Baaj, reminded people to live a life of dignity and courage. It is unfortunate that this powerful symbol of the great Guru—and Punjab’s official state bird—has vanished from the state’s skies due to habitat loss, illegal trade, and pollution.”
He added that it is deeply concerning that no recorded sightings of the Baaj have been reported by Punjab’s Wildlife Department in over two decades. “This situation has inspired our plan to reintroduce the Baaj to Punjab—to restore ecological balance and to pay tribute to this revered symbol associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji,” he said.
Dr Rajwant further announced, “EcoSikh is excited about its MoU and collaborative plan with the BNHS to embark upon the Sacred Fauna Mission, a scientifically guided initiative bringing together multiple stakeholders to rehabilitate the Northern Goshawk and restore its lost habitat across Punjab.”
Dr Supreet Kaur, President of EcoSikh India, said, “We are committed to planting 350 new Sacred Forests in tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Each forest will serve as a living classroom—restoring biodiversity and celebrating the Sikh Gurus’ timeless relationship with nature.”
Over the last 16 years, the EcoSikh Charitable Society has planted more than 1,350 Sacred Forests across India, each serving as a living sanctuary of biodiversity and spiritual reflection. Charan Singh, Convenor of Sacred Forests & Sacred Fauna at EcoSikh, added, “Planting forests in the name of our Gurus has been our sacred tradition for years. With the Sacred Fauna Mission, we are now extending this tradition to the skies.”
Highlighting the impact of these initiatives, Lokesh Jain, Managing Director of TK Steel and Convenor of Lungs of Ludhiana, an EcoSikh project dedicated to greening the city, said, “Under the Lungs of Ludhiana initiative alone, we have planted around 280 forests, comprising more than 1,52,000 native trees.”
Ujjagar Singh, President of the Gurdwara Committee, remarked, “With the support of the Sadh Sangat, EcoSikh is creating a Guru Har Rai Herbal Garden at Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib. Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was a true nature lover who established a medicinal herbal garden in Kiratpur, known as Naulakha Bagh, meaning the garden of 900,000 plants.”
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