Elect a govt that is eco-friendly, says Seechewal

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 19

Noted environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal has urged the people to vote for a candidate or party that could convince them to bring about environmental reforms and make Punjab clean and green before the 2019, the year that would mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

Addressing the media persons here today, Seechewal said he was aware that the water of rivers and canals in the state had been terribly polluted. Ironically, the incumbent governments do not seem to be serious enough to work on it, he added.

Demanding the implementation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Seechewal said the Budda river of Ludhiana has turned into Budda Nala (drain) gradually. Similarly, the Kala Sanghian drain in Jalandhar has been terribly polluted. All the drains in Punjab have been polluted due to lack of attention by the successive governments.

“After a long struggle, we got the treatment plant set up in the state. There are around 40 treatment plants in the state, but the situation is so pathetic that most of them are not working properly, “ he added.

According to Seechewal, Punjab used to have grade ‘A’ water in Sutlej from Himachal Pradesh that has now become ‘B’ grade. The aquatic animals have started becoming extinct due to rise in pollution level. Seechewal also praised the Bihar government for making spectacular arrangements on the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.