The holy city of Amritsar will join the Green Pilgrim Cities Network, the first global network aimed at greening pilgrimage to be launched in Assisi, Italy, from October 31 to November 2.

The Green Pilgrimage Network will help the faiths make their holy cities and sacred sites as environmentally sustainable as possible according to their own theologies and understanding, Washington-based EcoSikh said in a statement yesterday.

Being organised by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in association with World Wildllife Fund (WWF), the event will be chaired by The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth, who is also the head of the organisation.

Mr Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh, said, “this is a great opportunity for Sikhs to show to the world that we are committed to save mother earth and this will start with our concerted action in Amritsar.”

He said that the idea is to improve the environmental practises through eco-friendly planning, and at the heart is the hope that devotees will be encouraged to be respectful to nature and the environment throughout their pilgrimage by minimising waste.

“This is major step to bring together faith and environment in a concrete manner. I am very excited to be part of this initiative,” said the Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman, Mr K.S. Pannu, who along with the secretary of SGPC, Mr Dalmegh Singh, will announce the Sikh commitment.

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