Theme: Climate & Environment – Protecting Punjab’s Natural Heritage
Webinar Series
LAND • PEOPLE • SPIRIT • FUTURE • CULTURE
LAND | Where Do We Belong?
Five Core Challenges
- Water Security
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Climate & Environment
- Rural Transformation
- Sustainable Places & Tourism
Webinar #3 | Theme: Climate & Environment — Protecting Punjab’s Natural Heritage
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2026
🕗 Time: 8:00 PM IST (India) | 7:30 AM Pacific Time (California, USA)
Zoom Meeting Details
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87270226648?pwd=OZ93LbvlBvp49drM2DMlsjVysGfC1q.1
Meeting ID: 872 7022 6648
Passcode: 605551
Key Discussion Areas
- Climate Change & Environmental Resilience: Preparing Punjab for emerging environmental risks.
- Air Pollution & Stubble Burning: Exploring practical, sustainable alternatives and community-led solutions.
- Water, Land & Biodiversity: Protecting natural ecosystems and preserving Punjab’s environmental heritage.
- Waste Management: Advancing responsible waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery.
- Sustainable Green Growth: Creating economic opportunities while protecting the environment.
- Community Action: Turning environmental awareness into measurable local impact.
Guest Speakers
Col. CM Lakhanpal
Environmental Activist | Social Worker | Advocate for Sustainable Green Growth
He is an active Member of the Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara Jungles, River Satluj and Buddha Darya, Ludhiana, contributing to efforts focused on restoring polluted water bodies, protecting river floodplains, conserving forests and biodiversity, and preventing industrial and urban pollution.
Through his involvement in environmental field assessments, public awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and engagement with government authorities, technical experts, educational institutions, and civil society organisations, Col. Lakhanpal works to advance practical and collaborative solutions to Punjab’s pressing environmental challenges.
His key areas of interest include the restoration of Buddha Darya and River Satluj, conservation of Mattewara Jungles, sustainable wastewater management, groundwater protection, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. He advocates science-based approaches that balance ecological protection, public health, and sustainable economic development.
Col. Lakhanpal is also actively associated with the Sustainable Green Growth Mission, promoting integrated solutions for clean air, clean water, effective waste management, sustainable urban development, and ecological restoration. His work emphasizes the importance of accountable governance, community participation, and collective responsibility in achieving lasting environmental improvements.
Drawing on his disciplined approach to service and his commitment to public welfare, Col. CM Lakhanpal continues to advocate for stronger environmental awareness, responsible development, and meaningful citizen engagement.
His guiding vision is to build a clean, green, healthy, and environmentally sustainable Punjab through collective responsibility, scientific planning, effective governance, and active public participation.
Ravneet Singh Baweja
Environmental Campaigner | Educator | Community Organizer
Ravneet Singh Baweja is an environmental campaigner, educator, and community organizer with over 16 years of experience advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability across India and internationally. His work bridges environmental science, community engagement, Sikh values, and faith-inspired environmental stewardship to promote a more sustainable and ecologically resilient future.
Currently serving as a Community Organizer with Sierra Club BC in Canada, Ravneet engages diverse communities on climate change, Indigenous rights, biodiversity protection, and the conservation of British Columbia’s remaining old-growth forests. His work emphasizes relationship-building with Indigenous Nations and supporting community-led environmental stewardship.
Previously, as South Asia Project Manager at EcoSikh, Ravneet led environmental initiatives designed to mobilize the Sikh community around ecological responsibility. He played a key role in advancing Sikh Environment Day, an initiative celebrated in 10 countries to raise environmental awareness and encourage practical action inspired by Sikh teachings.
Ravneet has also contributed significantly to the Guru Nanak Sacred Forests initiative, which has established more than 1,580 microforests, comprising approximately 900,000 native trees and conserving over 100 native plant species across India.
Among his notable contributions was managing the development of Guru Granth Sahib Bagh in Patto Hira Singh village, Moga, Punjab. This five-acre biodiversity garden features approximately 6,000 plants representing 58 species mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His responsibilities included developing local partnerships, fundraising, and conducting research on the trees referenced in Gurbani, connecting Sikh spiritual heritage with biodiversity conservation and environmental education.
Ravneet has been invited to speak at international environmental and interfaith forums, including United Nations climate conferences. He continues to serve as a Strategic Advisor to EcoSikh, supporting efforts to strengthen the connection between faith, community action, and environmental sustainability.
Through his work across communities, cultures, and countries, Ravneet Singh Baweja champions the idea that environmental protection is both a shared human responsibility and an opportunity to build a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Host
Prof. Baljit Singh
Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev Global University
From Awareness to Action
Punjab’s environmental future depends on the choices we make today. By connecting knowledge, community leadership, innovation, and collective responsibility, we can help protect the land that sustains us.
Join us as we explore how Punjab can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for lasting change.
VIRSA Punjab: From Challenges to Change
Honouring our heritage. Addressing our challenges. Building our future.