Titled Nanhi Chhaan, the project was formally launched in a simple function from the precincts of the Galliara of Harmandir Sahib (golden Temple)  by Harsimrat Badal, wife of President SAD and MP Sukhbir Badal here today.

Small saplings were distributed to the visitors at Darbar Sahib by way of "Buta Parsad" for them to plant to welcome the newly born daughters in their households as well as the newly entrant daughter-in-laws. The organizers felt the initiative would help provide the necessary reverence and importance that environment protection should hold in our hearts and minds.

Speaking on the occasion, Harsimrat Badal stated that female foeticide had grown into a major social curse that was plaguing the Punjab society in particular and would lead to serious demographic imbalances in the future. On the other hand, declining tree cover was also a cause of great environmental concern as it would make our development ecologically unsustainable. Today, there was an urgent need to
mainstream both these issues and to take them to the common man through well-directed initiatives.

Sukhbir Singh Badal  who presided over the function, said that this novel initiative was a true demonstration of corporate social responsibility and would go a long way in highlighting the twin issues of protecting the girl child and our environment. He exhorted other corporate houses of the State to also come forward and join hands with the State Government to jointly campaign on issues of social importance. He stated that the State Government was focusing on providing quality education as well as better healthcare for all to improve the State's human resource.

Speaking on the occasion Environment and Non-Conventional Energy Minister Punjab Bikram Singh Majithia, drew parallels between the girl child and Mother Earth and appealed to all Punjabis to remove this great social blot of female foeticide.

President SGPC Avtar Singh Makkar, stated that it was important for the Sikh community to correct these growing social imbalances and welcomed the initiative of the Impact Group.

Addressing the gathering, Harpal Singh of the Impact Group stated that the Nanhi Chhaan project would add a new dimension to the concept of Sewa, which is a cornerstone of the Sikh faith, by involving the community in protection of the Girl Child and the Environment. By giving divine blessing to the planting of trees to commemorate the entry of a female into a household, environment protection would get the desired boost and add to its contemporary relevance and importance, he added.