Dubai Sikh temple distributes 2,083 saplings in new world record

Dubai - The event is in line with the Year Of Zayed.

To celebrate World Sikh Environment Day and the Sikh New Year, a Dubai temple broke world record for distributing over 2,000 plant saplings to school students.

Celebrating late UAE Founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's legacy, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Sikh temple gave Delhi Private School students in Jebel Ali 2,083 plant saplings to remind the young generation of environment protection.

With that, the temple broke the Guinness World Records for the largest distribution of saplings on Sunday morning after exceeded the minimum requirement of 1,500 saplings.

Small steps to being green

- Use public transport

- Walk or take a bicycle for short distances

- Switch off power when not in use

- Use energy-saving appliances

- Gift a plant on special occasions

- Use glass (200ml) instead of tap (5 litres) when brushing your teeth

- Develop open places into parks or mini forests

- Grow flowers that will attract butterflies and birds

The event is in line with the Year of Zayed, commemorating the life, values and achievements of Sheikh Zayed, who was a true champion of environment protection and promoting sustainability.

About 2,500 students from all grade levels participated in the event that saw government officials and diplomats planting their own seeds to encourage students to follow the leaders' footpath in turning earth green and growing their own plants.

The Sikh Gurudwara in Dubai previously broke the Guinness World Record for the 'Most Nationalities Having a Continental Breakfast' after gathering 101 nationalities of various faiths for breakfast last year.

Surender Kandhari, Chairman of Al Dobowi Group, said taking care of the environment is part of Sikh Ethos that Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Dubai hopes to remind today's younger generation.

"We only have one earth. This is our home. The same way we take care of our houses, the more that we should be concerned on preserving the environment," Kandhari said during his address to government officials and diplomats at the School.

"Our main aim is to teach our children to protect their environment as our existence is entirely dependent on its limited resources," he said.

Kandhari added that each plant distributed is goes beyond promoting greenery, but is a symbolism of hope to the younger generation.

With the generational change and introduction of Artificial Intelligence, virtual reality and robotics that will overtake the future, today's children do not get to explore nature, run on fields and play in mud. Given the fast paced technology, Kandhari said, it has never been more important to remind the future generation of the importance of going green.

Sheikh Zayed turned desert into green haven through tree plantation projects and had a passionate belief in social, economic and environmental sustainability. "He loved children and was protective over them," said Kandhari.

Under Zayed's leadership and over the years, the UAE had planted over 100 million trees within its borders, and 41 million palm trees.

Vipul, Consul General of India in Dubai, said where there's desert and water scarcity in the region, the UAE managed to focus on sustainability and protect its natural resources. "There's a lot to learn from them about sustainable living," he said.

The school children were encouraged to nurture the plant they are given or starting planting trees to do their bid for the environment.

Trees produce as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. In a year, an average tree inhales 26 pounds of carbon dioxide, an amount emitted by a car after driving 11,000 miles.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

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