Environmentalists celebrate as govt scraps Mattewara textile park project

Tribune News Service

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 11

Environmentalists heaved a sigh of relief as soon as they come to know about the state government’s decision to scrap the proposed textile park project, which was scheduled to come up in the vicinity of the Mattewara forest area adjoining the Sutlej.

Those who had been taking part in protests against the issue celebrated the occasion by cutting a huge cake.

The state government on Monday scrapped the proposed textile park project.

Environment lover Harjinder Singh Kukreja got the cake made from seven bakers at Belfrance. “The Public Action Committee (PAC) had taken the initiative to oppose the project to save the environment and we all have won the battle,” he said.

The “victory cake” is prepared by seven bakers and its weight is around 50 kg. It was cut in the evening and distributed among shared among the environmentalists and residents at the Sarabha Nagar market.

Jaskirat Singh of the PAC said: “Every human being should perform his or her duties properly and make the people more aware of the need to take care of the environment. The deteriorating nature and pollution in the environment around the world are a serious challenge to the humanity while the increasing use of chemical fertilisers in food production has a direct impact on the environment. It is affecting human health and the lives of birds.”

He urged the people to consume healthy food and to use organic products to keep their body healthy and protect the environment.

The government should not set up any industry near forests and rivers of Punjab, which would make the state futile, the environmentalist said.

PAC members Kapil Arora, Jaskirat Singh, Kuldeep Singh Khaira, Dr Amandeep Singh Bains among others were present during the victory celebrations. The PAC members expressed happiness after the CM announced that the textile park that was supposed to be set up near the Mattewara forest will be scrapped.

To mark the victory, a group of city residents danced on dhol beats at the main Sarabha Nagar Market on Monday evening. The residents were carrying placards to support the Public Action Committee members that led the battle against the proposed textile park.

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