Clear air on modern industrial park: NGOs to political parties

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23

Ahead of the Assembly elections, environmental NGOs across the state today asked the contesting political parties to clear air on various projects, including that on the proposed modern industrial park near the Mattewara forest and the Sutlej.

They asked political parties, if voted to power, what would be their stand on changing the location or cancellation of the project.

A draft prepared with the collaborative efforts of environmental NGOs across Punjab also highlighted the need to preserve the state's green cover and sought a ban on cutting of trees.

The NGOs also asked the political parties to clear the forest cover improvement policy.

The draft points were discussed during a seminar on 'Green Manifesto for Punjab 2022 and Guardians of Environment' at Ramgarhia Girls College here today.

Environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal was part of the event.

Ramgarhia College management, students, teachers and members of the public action committee (PAC) for Mattewara forest and Sutlej also attended the seminar.

The NGOs asked the political parties to address the concerns related to environment in their respective manifestos.

Political parties should also list their stance on illegal mining, solid waste management, open garbage dumping, single-use plastics, air pollution and climate change, they said.

Seechewal emphasised the need for heightened environmental consciousness and said students could play a vital role in spreading awareness among the masses.

“Apart from various point-wise demands on saving forests, rivers and air, the draft states that Punjab needs a pollution-free and clean model of development. We will like to initiate a public discussion and discourse with political parties of Punjab on various aspects of the environment of Punjab through this 'Green Manifesto'. The purpose is to improve understanding of issues so that these points find a place in election manifestos of political parties in 2022 elections,” said PAC member Jaskirat Singh.

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