Environmental group urges Punjab CM to make Amritsar ecologically resilient

People for Aravallis, a collective of concerned citizens and environmentalists working to protect one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, has sent a detailed representation addressed to the Chief Minister of Punjab giving suggestions for making the holy city ecologically resilient on the occasion of its 450th Foundation Day Anniversary.

The move has been endorsed by local environmentalist Samita Kaur, spearheading the ‘Chalo Amritsar Campaign’. Neelam Ahluwalia, founder and member, People for Aravallis shared that the 450th Foundation Day Anniversary of Amritsar was a great time to change things for the better, for the city, its people and its environment. “At a time when most cities in India, including Amritsar, are reeling under the impacts of severe air pollution, waste and water mismanagement, we believe that this pious occasion is a fitting time for the enterprising people of Punjab to set an example by making Amritsar an environmentally friendly city,” she said. “Based on inputs received from diverse citizens’ groups and experts from various fields in Punjab, we have given suggestions to develop a ‘Green Charter for Amritsar’. It was heartening to see that the CM promptly responded to our email by forwarding our representation to Amritsar’s Deputy Commissioner,” Ahluwalia added.

The representation suggests adopting ecologically planned urban development based on carrying capacity, water and land resources, decentralised waste management systems and proper sewage disposal. Additionally, it suggests appointing a chief environment officer to ensure compliance.

The representation also calls for public consultation with locals and environmentalists on master plans for the city. The group has further demanded the restoration of natural ecosystems in and around Amritsar such as forests, wetlands and ponds to help combat climate change.

The group wants to ensure clean drinking water is available for all citizens and developing a ‘Living Index’ framework. For sustainable waste management, the representation gives detailed suggestions to make the city single-use plastic-free. Samita Kaur, an environmentalist of Doraha, spearheading the ‘Chalo Amritsar Campaign’, said, “The citizens of Punjab welcome and endorse the representation of ‘People for Aravallis’ and urge the government to act upon the suggestions given by them. Increasing ‘heat island effect’ is intensifying acute thermal discomfort in all the cities of Punjab. Urban areas like Amritsar are becoming heat islands with excessive concretisation, less wilderness spaces, rampant tree cutting etc. There are waste dumps and landfills across Punjab, including Amritsar, with mixed toxic waste being burnt in every corner resulting in bad air quality. The Bhagtanwala landfill is barely 1,500 metres from the Golden Temple. Birds carry garbage which has often been found in the sarovar. Various historical sites like Jallianwala Bagh, Rani ka Bagh, Gobindgarh fort etc are strewn with garbage. Citizens are willing to work with the government to create positive change.”

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