Public outcry on the announcement of acquisition of a number of villages’ Panchyati land near Mattewra –Ludhiana reserve forest area to develop another industrial cluster was bound to happen in view of successive governments caring three hoots for environment .The decision to acquire land is definitely an ill advised and hasty one as this is going to affect already dwindling green cover in this region of Punjab which has witnessed all around environmental pollution of it’s water, air or soil for decades now all in the name of industrialization and employment .
Save and develop existing green cover
Ever since, the spur of pace of industrialization and urbanization the widening of G T road (NH1) multiple times, thousand of trees have been cut for Six Lane road project (from Karnal to Jalandhar) and also another project from Ludhiana to Kharar .Many a trees cut were centuries old and were of Sheesham ,Acacia and Jamun etc. which suited the climate of Punjab. Road side did witness the plantation of Eucalyptus trees , but that did not adequately compensate the loss of green cover and even on these trees too fell the axe multiple times in the name of road widening.In an RTI reply it was informed that 127086 trees were allowed to be axed- full grown and others for facilitating NH-1 patch falling under Ludhiana forest division alone out of total of 353755 tress axed in whole of Punjab forest divisions for newer lane G T Road from Panipat to Amritsar. The mandatory Compensatory Afforestation in Mattewara and other areas is only in the name, as saplings either not planted as promised adequately or if planted were not cared as required for the proper growth of trees. This is an uphill task to elicit information from Punjab Forest department for compensatory forestation. The department has not updated it’s website since 2007 .So, it will be prudent to save the existing green cover first before allowing it’s dilution further . NGOs have valid reasons that once industrial activity kicked off, it will be unplanned and unbridled as is seen from the existing polluting units.
Sutlej River may be polluted further
Buddha Darya an offshoot of river Sutlej near Machhiwara till late 1980s flowed clean drinkable water, but it started to be named as Buddha Nalah ever since unbridled and industrial discharge along with Ludhiana’s untreated sewerage discharge at many a laces coupled with milk dairies waste water and garbage. Already the Buddha Nalah has immensely polluted river Sutlej when it rejoins into the river again. The newer industrial activity near the river is a new threat of water pollution . Also, the proposed industrial site will also encourage further illegal sand and soil mining in the area near Sutlej river bed to cater the construction activity. Earlier there was a proposal to ensure a ‘Nature Reserve’ in the area with a promise of developing the area as a tourist hub, but nothing has been heard of this. Political appeasement seems to promote industrialists interests only forgetting general public and environment.
Take a cue from developed nations
Let our State take a cue from the GM ford manufacturing in Detroit in Michigan in USA. It brought hundreds of ancillary units since 1900. But, the industrial development went full circle and there started the downside of activity with the fall of GM Ford manufacturing worldwide and USA Govt. ordered to remove dismantled industrial structures and started ploughing down vast area to restart agriculture. It was better if the lands of villages were developed for growing vegetables and fruits.
Strengthen Existing Focal Points:
Dhannasu industrial cluster where Hero group will lead to construct cycle manufacturing vally is yet only in very nascent stage. The Apparel manufacturing park development Doraha is nowhere to be seen even after 15 years. Further, Hambran Focal point started earlier as well as Ladhowal area side(proposed for food processing units) is also not being taken care of .Development of existing areas will help reduce costs as these are in close proximity to mainline rail and road transport also. The starting of industrial activity in this Mattewra belt, thus will be eroding the serenity of the area which should have been developed as a tourist circuit alongside the bank of river Sutlej from Laddowal to Machhiwara and further till Anandpur Sahib.
People can’t afford closed door decisions
Corona times have locked down the people inside their homes and so are locked in the people’s representatives. Such decisions must be discussed in the public domain or in legislative assembly. Pleasing a certain section of industry people at the peril of greater environmental interests is not welcome. The Punjab Government is requested to put on hold this decision.
Brij Bhushan Goyal—A social activist
brijbgoyal@gmail.com
+91- 94176-00666
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Brij Bhushan Goel, Writer
brijbgoyal@gmail.com
Phone No. : 9417600666
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