Join movement to protect environment, residents told

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, June 12

The Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) has exhorted people to join the movement for environment protection. Speaking at a public function organised jointly by the Jatha and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), general secretary of the BJGVJ Dr Arun Mitra condemned the decision of US President Donald Trump of backing out from the Paris agreement on climate change. The function was organised on the theme ‘connecting people to nature’ to mark World Environment Day.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating environment, Dr Mitra said the Satluj Action Plan was formulated and as a follow-up of this, the government had set up P Ram Committee. “The Jatha has been actively associated with the work proposed to be carried out under this action plan, but somehow this plan could not make much headway.”

He said the work on the Sutlej Action Plan be revived to make Buddha Nullah clean and green. Dr Mitra said while residents should realise their responsibility towards the protection of environment, it was the duty of the administration to ensure the implementation of various clauses and to create awareness among the public.

Outlining ways and means to clean up Buddha Nullah, he said it was imperative that throwing of solid waste should be totally banned in drains and made illegal.

“Violators should be penalised. At the same time, a vociferous awareness campaign should be carried out with the help of NGOs, which were already working for this cause and the population living around the Buddha Nallah should be involved,” he said.

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh said the water level in Punjab was depleting day-by-day and cautioned the people about global warming. BJGVJ secretary Kusum Lata spoke on water management while emphasising that people should be cautious about these situations. Rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory, she said.

A memorandum regarding the issues of environment of the city was presented to Councillor Mamta Ashu and PPCB Environmental Engineer GS Gill by Ranjit Singh, President, and IS Sodhi, Vice-President.

Nukkad natak staged

Ludhiana: Thousands of pamphlets were distributed in association with Sat Guru Ram Singh Government Polytechnic Girls College, Rishi Nagar. Besides, an audio-visual presentation was given on environment. An intra-school painting competition was organised in various schools on the theme “Connecting people to nature”. The best three entries from each school were awarded in the function. The posters prepared by the students were displayed at the venue. Surinder Kumar recited poems on the environment. A song was presented by students of the Indian Idol Academy, Ludhiana.

Award of honour

The award of honour was given to various societies for conserving trees planted last year. IS Sodhi was awarded for Kartar Park and Randhir Singh Dhira for Park at Panj Peer Road, Haibowal Khurd. The function was dedicated to the memory of founder president of BJGJ Maj Sher Singh Aulukh who led the organisation successfully for 25 years.  — TNS