Hoshiarpur: Groundwater levels are depleting, and the environment is becoming increasingly toxic; this is a matter of deep concern and poses a potentially fatal and catastrophic threat to future generations. Therefore, it is essential to keep the environment clean and pristine, and to maintain the Earth as a lush, fertile, and green planet; to this end, every individual must make it a point to plant at least one tree.
While expressing these sentiments, Sant Paramjit Das—the *Gaddi Nashin* (spiritual successor) of Dera Sant Mela Ram Nagar and Treasurer of the Guru Ravidas Sadhu Sampraday Society (Regd., Punjab)—stated that the sacred *Bani* (teachings) of the Guru Sahibs also elucidates that air is to our physical bodies what the Guru is to the souls of living beings. Furthermore, water—the source of sustenance for all living creatures—is itself a manifestation of the Divine.
He explained that the Earth—often revered as the Mother of all living beings because she nurtures all things within her womb and brings them forth from it—is also a manifestation of the Supreme Being, for everything in existence was created by God Himself. The sacred verse, "Pehla Paani Jeeo Hai, Jit Haria Sabh Koi" (Water is the source of life; through it, all things flourish), imparts the profound lesson that we must revere and protect the air, water, and Earth just as we would our own parents.
Sant Paramjit Das observed that human beings often remain consumed by external turmoil—burning in the heat of envy, animosity, and conflict—yet, by meditating upon the Divine, one attains spiritual peace, and one's inner disposition becomes calm and serene. Similarly, the lap of Mother Earth remains lush and vibrant—adorned with trees, plants, and water—thereby providing the living beings of this world with a good, pure, and health-sustaining life.
He further emphasized that the dwindling number of forests and the relentless deforestation currently taking place pose a grave threat to human life, while simultaneously driving various species of living beings toward extinction. Therefore, we must focus our efforts on planting as many trees as possible to safeguard this beautiful world, preserve our natural resources, and protect all living creatures.