Environmentalists rue unabated pollution of rivers, bat for change

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 14

Environment activists and residents of Gaunspur, Manniawal, Walipur and other villages near the confluence of Satluj and Buddha Darya got together to pray for better times for both these rivers today on a day which is celebrated as Sikh Environment Day and the International Day of Action for Rivers.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, founder, Bhai Ghanayia Cancer Roko Seva Society and coordinator Naroa Punjab Manch, said, “Water is a basic necessity of life. These are some of the villages that are worst hit by pollution in Buddha Darya. Successive governments have been ignoring the issue for a very long time and it is high time that people should speak up against the menace.”

Jaskirat Singh, from Naroa Punjab Manch, said, “Pollution in the Satluj by Buddha Nullah is not only an environmental disaster but also a violation of human rights as our Constitution guarantees right to healthy and dignified life. Parampal Singh Sabhra, of Alliance of Sikh Organisations, said it was unfortunate that Punjab which gets its very name from its rivers is facing such an issue.

Ravneet Singh of EcoSikh said that government must not shy away from their responsibility to build and operate STPs and CETPs required to fix the problem.

Among others who participated in this prayer meeting wered Sukhwinder Singh Babbu (Naroa Punjab Manch), Kuldeep Singh Khaira, Rajinder Singh Brar, Gurpreet Singh Kotkapura, Jaspinder Singh Kotkapura, Sukhminder Singh Gaunspur, Pardeep Singh and Sahib Singh.