Faith goes green: Hola Mohalla set for eco-friendly langar

PUNJAB’s push to make Hola Mohalla plastic-free marks an important moment where faith and environmental governance intersect. The recent initiative by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), in collaboration with the Sikh clergy, to ensure plastic-free langar during Hola Mohalla reflects a recognition that mass religious gatherings must align with sustainability goals. Hola Mohalla, held annually at Anandpur Sahib, draws lakhs of devotees. The scale of the langar (community kitchen) operations inevitably generates enormous waste, particularly single-use plastic plates, cups and packaging. In recent years, concerns over littered riverbanks and clogged drainage systems have grown, especially given the town’s proximity to ecologically sensitive zones.

The PPCB’s move to promote eco-friendly containers and coordinate with religious authorities is significant for two reasons. First, environmental regulation often falters at large gatherings due to political sensitivities. Second, Sikh institutions have historically demonstrated environmental leadership — from tree plantation drives to earlier bans on plastic bags by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee at the Golden Temple in 2018. There is also a behavioural dimension. Langar symbolises equality and collective responsibility. Extending this ethos to environmental stewardship can create a powerful model. Religious messaging from clergy can reinforce compliance far more effectively than regulatory warnings alone.

However, execution will determine impact. Announcements must translate into strict enforcement, adequate supply of biodegradable alternatives and proper waste segregation and composting. Without a robust collection and processing mechanism, even “eco-friendly” materials risk ending up in landfills. Punjab’s plastic challenge is not limited to festivals. But if Hola Mohalla 2026 sets a precedent for green religious events — with monitoring, transparency and post-event waste audits — it could become a template for other mass gatherings across India. Faith-based environmentalism, when matched with administrative will, can transform public behaviour at scale.