Panel seeks demarcation of Sutlej river floodplains in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 28

The Public Action Committee (PAC), including the Naroa Punjab Manch, Ludhiana Cares Ladies Society, Council of Engineers, RBS Roots, Meri Ma Boli Punjabi, Initiators of Change, Anti-Corruption Federation of India, Vigilant Citizens’ Forum, Better World Campaign and environment activists, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, demanding demarcation/zoning of floodplains of the Sutlej in Garhi Fazal, Salempur and Sekhowal villages, adjoining protected forests of Mattewara village, before proceeding further for development of the Modern Industrial Park. The memorandum was addressed to the Punjab Chief Secretary.

Members of various NGOs and environmental activists are opposing the government’s proposal to setup an industrial park near the Sutlej and Mattewara forests.

Dr Amandeep Singh Bains of RBS Roots and Jaskirat Singh of Naroa Punjab Manch said, “The Sutlej is the sole drinking water source for human and animal population of the entire south Punjab and eight districts of Rajasthan. The river is already polluted due to existing industries in Ludhiana.”

“Punjab has the dubious distinction of the state with lowest forest cover in the country with only 3.5 per cent geographical area under forests, which is even lesser than Rajasthan. However, despite knowing facts, the Punjab Government is going to develop an industrial park on 1,000 acres, adjoining Dhussi Bandh of the Sutlej and protected forests of Mattewara village,” they added.