Morcha, Mattewara panel join hands for battle against industrial pollution

A joint team of Sri Chamkaur Sahib Morcha and Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, visited the Buddah Nullah near Chand Cinema here today to understand how the battle to make it pollution free had been fought by the activists so far and also how the legal battle for the same was currently being fought by them in the NGT.

This was necessitated as a large paper mill has been proposed to be set up on the banks of the nullah at Chamkaur Sahib. A paper mill is a red category industry as per the pollution criteria formulated by the Central Pollution Control Board. The existing paper mills in Punjab are facing litigation and public ire due to pollution caused by these to the groundwater as well as to the rivers and drains. Owing to this, a morcha, which is a coalition of many panchayats, activists, residents and farm and trade unions of the area, has been formed at Chamkaur Sahib to confront such challenges.

Addressing the media, Jujhar Singh, Karan Kandhola and Satnam Singh of Sri Chamkaur Sahib Morcha said, “We are very concerned about the health and well-being of our area. It is a pristine area as of now with clean water sources and forest areas and wildlife. A large paper mill has been proposed on around 200 acres right on the bank of Buddah Nullah, where it originates in Chamkaur Sahib. The Sirhind Canal is only 300m from that location on the other side.”

They further said, “We are concerned that such red category industries will not only pollute the drinking water source of south Punjab, but also the Sirhind Canal, which will supply water to Ludhiana in near future. The Punjab Pollution Control Board is holding a public hearing about setting up this industry in our area on April 30, but we have no confidence in the sincerity of the PPCB, which is known to be corrupt. So, we are seeking support from entire Punjab.”

Amandeep Bains of PAC echoed similar concerns and said, “Buddah Nullah cannot take more pollution. No wise government will allow the setting up of such an industry near our drinking water supplies of canals and drains. This was also promised to us by CM Bhagwant Mann in our meeting with him in July 2022 when Mattewara Textile Park was cancelled.”

Jaskirat Singh, also of PAC, said, “Sirhind Canal and Buddah Nullah are both drinking water channels and must be protected from such polluting industries. Citizens should avail this opportunity as provided under law to put forth their views in public hearing. Those who cannot attend public hearing should at least write to the PPCB to oppose this project to protect drinking water and environment. We are also holding a seminar on the subject on April 27 at Gurdwara Jand Sahib, where experts on wildlife, environment, activism and Sikh heritage of Chamkaur Sahib will speak on those subjects.”

Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Plaha further added that polluting industries had no respect for law. The common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) of Ludhiana dyeing industries are barred from discharging even treated effluents into the Buddah Nullah, but they still do it despite NGT orders.