Each element is delicately and intrinsically interconnected, so any impact on one aspect directly and indirectly affects all others.
For example, the devastating consequences of rampant deforestation and excessive air pollution are already evident in rapidly rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, severe climate changes, and the extinction of various species.
Plastic pollution has emerged as another critical threat, impacting human health, soil, water, and nearly every living organism. Addressing this issue is essential to safeguard the health of Mother Earth.
World Environment Day 2025 focuses on ending global plastic pollution.
Let this day serve as a call to action and transformation—a collective effort by every individual, every single day—so our environment can regain its lost glory.
Plastics and Polythene: a hazard for the environmental health
Approximately 460 million metric tonnes (Mt) of plastic are produced annually, with polyethylene accounting for the largest share at 133-166 million tonnes. Plastics are a major source of soil and water pollution. Each year, 8-10 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans, causing the deaths of around 100,000 marine animals and 1 million seabirds.
On land, stray animals like cows often ingest plastic debris, leading to illness and the loss of thousands of lives.
Bye-bye Ethene: A Powerful Initiative to Fight the Plastic Pollution
Recognizing the dangers of polythene—its non-biodegradable nature, harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and the planet—Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan launched the ‘Bye-Bye Ethene’ campaign. This initiative urges volunteers to abandon polythene use in favor of cloth bags and other eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives.
Over 70 million volunteers have pledged to say ‘No’ to polythene, committing to carry their own bags for grocery and daily shopping—a united step towards a healthier, cleaner world.
Gift of Green Canopy for a Green Earth – Trees for every occasion
Forests and green spaces play a vital role in absorbing carbon emissions, reducing temperatures, maintaining air humidity and groundwater levels, and releasing life-sustaining oxygen.
Even a small pond nestled among trees serves as a biodiversity hotspot, providing habitat for diverse insects, birds, and animals.
To address the climate crisis and global warming, Saint Dr. MSG has launched multiple initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, reversing ecological damage, and conserving natural resources.
Nature Campaign
In August 2007, volunteers of Dera Sacha Sauda wished to offer a meaningful birthday gift to Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan (Dr. MSG), whose birthday falls on 15th August. Accepting their request, Revered Guruji asked them to plant trees every year — a gift for the planet.
Since then, a Mega Tree Plantation Drive is organized annually, resulting in the plantation of over 17 crore (170 million) trees across the country. Owing to ongoing care by volunteers, more than 78% of these trees are thriving.
Dry lands have been transformed to beautiful green patches, diverse species of birds are thriving, soil quality has improved, ecosystems have revived and overall quality of life has improved for people in areas where these tree plantation drives have been conducted – a win-win for people and the planet.
Welfare from Bony Remnants
Traditionally, cremated remains are immersed in holy rivers as part of final rites, often resulting in water pollution. To address this, Saint Dr. MSG introduced a pioneering concept in 2011 — growing trees on bony remnants. This scientific and spiritual alternative not only aids in environmental conservation but also brings peace to the departed soul.
This initiative was a global first, and has since inspired adoption in countries like the UK, Canada, and the US, turning a ritual into a sustainable act of welfare.
TREE Campaign-GREEN (Growing Trees Regularly Every Year Equal to Number of Dr. MSG's age)
Over 70 million volunteers have pledged to plant trees annually equal to the age of Saint Dr. MSG, turning each passing year into a milestone for nature.
People also mark their special occasions—such as birthdays, anniversaries, or in memory of loved ones—by planting trees, blending personal celebration with environmental responsibility.
Clean Earth, Healthy Life
As part of the Cleanse Campaign, 35 Mega Cleanliness Drives have been organized across India, drawing participation from lakhs of volunteers who clean entire cities—and even states—within a matter of hours.
Equipped with their own brooms and cleaning supplies, these dedicated volunteers diligently cleanse public parks, restrooms, hospitals, streets, drains, and even sewage lines. They also collaborate with municipal corporations to efficiently collect and dispose of the accumulated waste.
Dera Sacha Sauda volunteers stationed abroad routinely conduct similar cleanliness drives in their respective regions, amplifying this noble cause on a global scale.
Through these monumental efforts, Saint Dr. MSG has instilled in the public a profound sense of responsibility towards cleanliness and hygiene, emphasizing that a clean environment is the cornerstone of healthy living and a forward-thinking society.
Care for the Air
Carbon emissions from fossil fuels—whether from vehicles or industries—are a major cause of air pollution. Elevated pollutant levels trigger respiratory issues and allergies, especially in the elderly and those with compromised health.
To address this, Saint Dr. MSG has introduced key eco-friendly initiatives:
- Encouraging timely emission checks for personal vehicles and motivating others to follow suit.
- Promoting walking or cycling for short distances (CYCLE: Caring for Your Health by Cycling and Lessening Earth Pollution).
- Urging farmers to repurpose crop stubble as fodder instead of burning it.
These measures aim to reduce pollution at the grassroots and foster a cleaner, healthier environment.
Water and Energy Conservation
Agriculture consumes a significant share of our water resources. However, with declining groundwater levels and erratic rainfall patterns, farmers are increasingly at nature’s mercy. At the same time, unrestrained water usage by some adds to the crisis.
To help conserve water, Saint Dr. MSG encourages the farmers to implement the following:
- Use Rain Water harvesting to save the precious rain water and use it for irrigation.
- Grow crops that use less water and give more yield.
- Use Drip system or Fountain system for irrigating the crops.
- Build a basic filter system using gravels and sand to cleanse the bathing water and use it for kitchen gardening or irrigating fields.
- Grow basic vegetables on the boundary mounds of fruit trees in the orchard.
Urban Water Saving Tips by Saint Dr MSG:
- Use a cup while shaving or brushing; avoid leaving the tap running.
- Install a dual-flush system to use only the required amount of water.
- Use a bucket instead of a shower for bathing to save water.
- Fix leaking faucets promptly and collect any leaking water for reuse.
To conserve finite natural resources and promote energy efficiency, Saint Dr. MSG has encouraged the masses to adopt solar energy, switch off electrical appliances when not in use, and opt for energy-efficient alternatives.
Saint Dr MSG also established a bio-electricity plant to generate electricity from waste and also helped many villages adopt the model, thus helping keep the environment clean while enabling the villages to become self-sustainable and self-reliant.
Collective Action, Massive Transformation: Let’s Save our Environment
Saint Dr. MSG’s environmental conservation efforts demonstrate that every action matters, every individual counts, and united, we can protect our planet, combat plastic pollution, and reverse environmental degradation.
On this World Environment Day, reflect and introspect, decide to be the stewards of planet Earth and environment – plant more trees, say no to plastic, advocate for stringent policies against industrial pollution and safeguard Earth’s precious resources.
Protect Environment, Save Life.
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