INTACH writes to CM on pollution in water bodies

The Punjab chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH) has raised an alarm over the deteriorating condition of the state's natural heritage. In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, INTACH Punjab State Convener, Maj Gen (retd) Balwinder Singh, highlighted the urgent need to save and preserve vital natural resources, particularly rivers and water bodies, from increasing pollution.

The letter emphasised the grave pollution levels in Buddha Nullah, the revered Kali Bein and the Kanjli wetland, referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’. The organisation called for immediate and strict action against officials who have failed to enforce pollution control measures, as mandated by the Central Pollution Control Board and the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

“Nothing is more important for governance than the safety and well-being of the people of Punjab,” the letter stated,

urging political leaders and bureaucrats to prioritise environmental conservation.

Dr Sunny Sandhu, an INTACH member and a passionate environmentalist, expressed deep concern over the state of the Sutlej river.

Sandhu, known for founding the Bhoomitra Beda Yatra initiative to conserve Punjab’s rivers, warned that the unchecked toxic discharge into the Buddha Nullah could exacerbate Punjab’s cancer crisis.

The letter called on the state government to implement directives from the Central Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), particularly those aimed at halting illegal industrial effluents.

Maj Gen (retd) Balwinder Singh emphasised that preserving Punjab’s rivers and wetlands is vital not just for ecological balance but for the health and prosperity of its residents. Conservationists have been pressing for stricter monitoring, awareness campaigns and the rejuvenation of these water bodies to restore their ecological and spiritual significance.

Meanwhile, the appeal comes amid growing concerns over the state's environmental degradation, with activists warning of long-term health, agricultural and cultural repercussions if immediate action is not taken to curb pollution in water bodies.