‘We need to look beyond stubble burning to improve

Thursday: 9th December 2021 at 6:16 PM

Include road dust, municipal waste, industries, and burning of plastic 

Symbolic Photo

Chandigarh: 09 December 2021: (Gurjit Billa//Punjab Screen)::

“We need to go beyond the stubble burning issue and include road dust, and emissions from  municipal waste, industries, and burning of plastic while dealing with air pollution,” said Shri Rana Gurjeet Singh, Cabinet Minister, Government for Punjab. He was speaking at ‘Vision:Clean Skies for Punjab’, organised by the Center for Study of Science,Technology and Policy (CSTEP), one of India’s leading think tanks in Chandigarh.

“Comprehensive solutions to deal with air pollution are the need of the hour. To make this happen, government departments have to align their vision,” he said. Given the large agricultural yield of Punjab, immediate measures are needed to tackle the problem of stubble burning. “We will be able to convince farmers to stop burning stubble only if we present them with alternative solutions. Industry, agricultural universities, pollution control boards, and the government need to work together to find holistic solutions to manage the issue,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mr Krunesh Garg, Member Secretary, Punjab State Pollution Control Board observed that stubble should not be treated as a problem but rather as an opportunity to make fuel or fertilisers. This could help farmers financially while contributing to better air quality, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Kamal Kumar Garg, Municipal Commissioner, Mohali, stressed the need for incorporating environmental safety in the manifesto of all political parties. Numerous reports recently have highlighted Punjab’s deteriorating air quality. While most discussions centre around the issue of stubble burning in winter, citizens of Punjab are affected by poor air quality levels throughout the year.

The State of India’s Environment 2021 reported as many as 41,900 deaths in Punjab due to air quality issues in the state. In 2018, Punjab featured among the top four states with maximum cities that failed to meet India's national air quality standards. It is in this context that CSTEP organised the event to find practical solutions to improve the air quality in the state.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director, CSTEP said, “The primary objective of this discussion is to understand all the causes and impacts of air pollution in 2 www.cstep.in Punjab, identify practical challenges in policy implementation, expedite the development of sustainable solutions, and build the technological capacity of state departments.”

Dr. Pratima Singh, Lead of the Centre for Air Pollution Studies at CSTEP said, “The issue of air pollution in Punjab receives a lot of attention during the winter months because of stubble burning which affects neighbouring states such as Delhi. But many factors contribute to Punjab’s air pollution. Through these discussions, we hope to initiate a deeper conversation on these factors and through scientific assessments and by engaging with local communities, we will prepare a comprehensive and strategic plan for improving the state’s air quality.”

Citizens demand effective action to clean Buddha Nala

Smart City has no meaning without it

Ludhiana: 6 June 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):   Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 3:18 PM  

Speaking at the Public Function organized by the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha Ludhiana on 5^th June to mark the World Environment Day on the theme JAL HAI TO KAL HAI various speakers criticized the administration for its utter failure in implementing the Satluj Action Plan meant to clean the Buddha Nalla. Clear water of the Nalla starts becoming polluted as soon as it enters the boundary of the city as a result of industrial affluent and domestic waste being disposed into it.  

Addressing on the occasion Maj. Sher Singh Aulukh said that Satluj Action Plan was outlined and as a follow up of this P Ram Committee was formed. Our organisation had been actively associated with the work under this. As a part of this three Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) were established at Village Bhattian, Baloke and Jamalpur. Also five green bridges were to be constructed for bio remediation of waste water flowing in Buddha Nallah. M/s.Green Infrastructure, Pune had laid down condition for proper working of the green bridges viz Lifting of Municipal Solid Waste, Functioning of STPs and Outlets into Buddha Nallah should be plugged.   As per our observations none of these three conditions have not been implemented satisfactorily (Photographs from some sites are being attached as an evidence). As a result the whole project seems to be failing.

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh said that transparency should be ensured in this work and responsibility should be fixed on the concerned. As a double check of the samples of treated water after STPs the citizens should be allowed to take samples on their own and get them checked. The monitoring committee should meet quarterly to assess the progress made. 

  

Mr. M.S.Bhatia, Organising Secretary said that whereas the citizens should realize their responsibility, it is the duty of the administration to ensure the implementation of various clauses and to create awareness in the public. He said that it is imperative that throwing of solid waste/ refuge should be totally banned and made illegal. Violators should be penalized. A vociferous awareness campaign should be carried out with the help of NGOs who are already working for this cause and the population living around the Buddha Nallah should be involved. The working of the STPs should be continuously monitored in coordination with the NGOs working for this cause. In the first step the factors effecting the proper working of STPs should be identified. Thereafter corrective measures should be taken. To our information none of the outlets draining untreated effluent directly into the Buddha Nallah have been plugged. Strict measures in a time bound framework should be taken to plug all the outlets. Violators should be penalized. Road should be constructed both sides which also clear the encroachments on the banks of the Nallah and plantation should be done. 

A memorandum regarding the concerned issues of environment of Ludhiana particularly the water pollution was presented to Shri Devinder Singh Additional Commissioner (MC) Ludhiana by the office bearers of the Jatha. Shri Devinder Singh in his address said that the issues raised by the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha are very relevant and the corporation is seized with these. We have already started a movement with the help of the citizens.

Mrs.Kusum Lata – National Awardee Headmistress gave a talk on water management. She said that the citizens have to be cautious about these situations. Rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory. She presented a play by the students of Govt. High School Sarabha Nagar on Environment.

Shri Ranjit Singh- National Awardee Headmaster (Retd.) and  Vice President of the Jatha along with Shri Sukhdev Chandel  organized a quiz competition on environment and gave prizes to the winners in the form of saplings.

An intra-school painting competition was organized in different schools on the theme SAVE WATER-SAVE LIFE. The best three entries from each school were awarded in the function. The posters prepared by the students were displayed at the venue.

Shri Surinder Kumar recited poems on the environment.

Mr.Parveen Kumar, Harpreet Kaur and Jaspreet Mohan Singh Khurana prepared on the spot a 40 feet long painting for environment day. 

Anita Sharma from Belan Brigade in her address said that without providing the basic animities to the citizens Smart City concept has no meaning.

Col.Gill from Lets Clean Ludhiana Trust cautioned the RO users. The government should not encourage RO system. 

Many organisations working for the cause participated and supported the efforts.

Others who addressed and participated in organizing the event include Shri Krishan Lal Malik, MrsGurcharan Kocher, Shri Pardeep Sharma, Swaroop Singh, Er S P Singh, Dr Babita Jain, Sohan Singh, I.S.Sodhi, Rajwinder Singh, Shri Amritpal Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Radhika Jaitwani, Ravi Arora, Shri Ramadhar Singh, Randhir Singh Dheera, Anod Kumar  

CICU Effluent Treatment Society

Fri, Aug 8, 2014 at 4:56 PM
Taking various initiatives for Developing Ldh as Pollution Free, Clean & Green City

Ludhiana: 8 August 2014: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen):

Sh. Avtar Singh President CICU & Chief Executive Officer LETS in a statement released today said that Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings and Ludhiana Effluent Treatment Society are taking various initiatives for developing Ludhiana as pollution free clean & green city. In this context, we are conducting special seminar “Pollution Control with Modern Techniques” on 13th August 2014 at CICU Complex, Focal Point, Ludhiana. Sh. Ravinder Singh IAS, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board will preside over the function and Sh. CGK Murthy Managing Director Atotech India, Guest Speaker will apprise the participants about the various benefits of using modern techniques for controlling pollution specially by zinc plating, wire drying, surfacing and phosphate industries. Sh. Padam Aul, Vice President CICU & Convener Pollution Control Committee and his team is making strenuous efforts to ensure that not a single drop of effluent goes untreated/is discharged in sewerage system by any type of industry in Ludhiana.

Sh. Upkar Singh Ahuja General Secretary CICU and Director LETS said that in order to develop Ludhiana a modal city free from all types of pollution, awareness campaigns are being launched regularly by the chamber and LETS. Similar seminar will be conducted at Jalandhar for the benefit of all types of industries there in the first week of September 2014. Another seminar on Adopting Water Management Techniques is planned in the last week of September 2014. CICU Jointly with LETS is regularly launching plantation drives, encouraging use of Rain Harvesting Techniques and persuading owners of red category industrial units particularly operating in Mix Land Use Areas to scrupulously follow PPCB guidelines and avoid dumping of industrial waste.

CICU has requested and urged upon Hon’ble Chief Minister Punjab for allocation of a site on the Ludhiana city periphery for shifting electroplating units operating in the Mix Land Use Areas in Ludhiana by forming special cluster for these units. The Management of CICU and LETS highly appreciate the cooperation and support being extended by Sh. Ravinder Singh IAS Chairman PPCB and his team for resolving various pollution related issues of different category of industries amicably.

All electroplating and engineering industries of Ludhiana are requested to participates in the aforesaid event, co operate and support us to develop Ludhiana a modern city free from pollution.

Burning of paddy straw is dangerous

Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Detrimental to both human health and fertility of soil Promotion of GM Crops without proper trials on human health harmful 

Ludhiana 7 October 2013: (Punjab Screen Bureau): The Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) has cautioned farmers against burning of paddy straw, which is detrimental both to our health and fertility of the soil. These views were expressed at a gathering organized by the BJGVJ in association with Gram Panchayat village Baranhara Talwara, on Hambran Road, Ludhiana.The subject was  “Effect of GM Crops and Paddy Straw Burning”.  Speaking on the occasion Dr Arun Mitra - General Secretary BJGVJ cautioned the farmers that the smoke emitted as a result of burning of paddy straw or wheat straw could affect our respiratory system and thereby other systems of our body. Lung diseases and diseases of nose and throat get aggravated thus incapacitating the person. He reminded them of when on 12th October in 1998 smoke had engulfed almost whole of state of Punjab causing panic among the people. Similarly the GM Crops which are being promoted in the name of High Yield Resistant to infections have to be seen with skepticism. Worldwide experience and researches have shown that the GM foods have detrimental effect on the health of the mice. It will be unwise to promote the GM crops without studying the impact on human health.  It has also been observed that if the GM food catches infection then they do not respond to ordinary drugs. Thus special drugs will have to be used by the farmers which would cost them heavily. This would only benefit the companies like Monsanto. 
Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulakh- an agriculture expert warned the farmers that by burning paddy straw we destroy useful elements in the soil. Over one and half lac tones of nitrogen and sulpher get destroyed as a result. This causes loss of nitrogen and sulpher over 200 Crores of rupees just in  Punjab. On the other hand if we dump the Parali in the soil  it turns into healthy manure and adds to Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potash and other elements.  The concept of destroying crops residue has to change to that these are no more waste products but some thing that can be utilized for the better of productivity.  
Major (Retd) Sher Singh Aulakh – President of the Jatha said that they would carry forward this message to people by holding such gatherings time to time in different parts of the district. He also appealed to the people to come forward against  increasing intoxication which is affecting the potential of our youth.
Sh.Maninder Singh Bhatia – Organising Secretary BJGVJ said that the organization has completed 21 years on 2nd October and we have been creating awareness on several issues related to environment since 1992.

S.Kuldeep Singh Khangoora progressive farmer lauded the role of the Jatha on for organizing the event at in their village. The information provided will definitely make the farmers shun the practice of burning paddy straw. Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sarpanch Baranhara, Mrs. Amarjeet Kaur Sarpanch Talwara, Manmohan Singh Gill Former member, Narinder Singh Chanchal, Rajwinder singh,  Jagtar singh, Jaswinder Singh Rajpreet Kaur, Mukhtiar singh participated on behalf of the village and                                                        
those who attended the event on behalf of the Jatha  Mrs Kusum Lata-Secretary,Sh.Gurnam Singh Sidhu,Sh.Avtar Chhiber,Sh.Randhir Singh Dheera, Sh.Rajwinder Singh Khangoora.

Martyrdom day with an environment message

Promotion of healthy environment through conservation of biodiversity and to maintain ecological balance is the need of the hour not only to save human life but all the flora and fauna around. This was said by Dr Arun Mitra General Secretary of the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) at a public function on the occasion of 83^rd martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rajguru Sukhdev organized by the BJGVJ in collaboration with Punjab Istri Sabha and Voice of Youth foundation. The event was organized under the auspices of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST)Chandigarh under the National Environment Awareness Campaign. Mrs Manpreet Kaur graced the occasion as representative of the PSCST.  Sh Krishan Lal Malik Vice President of the Jatha presided over the function.

On this occasion a  Free Medical Checkup Camp was held  at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public School, Haqiqat Nagar, Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana. Over 200 patients were examined by Dr Arun Mitra ENT Surgeon, Dr.Narjeet Kaur-Gynaecologist and Dr Anup Jain Dental Surgeon. The patients were given free medicines. Other who addressed the gathering include Sh.M.S.Bhatia, Mrs.Gurcharan Kocher, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulakh, S. Ranjit singh,. Mrs Kusum Lata, Com D P Maur, Com Naval Chhiber, Sh.Sanjeev Kumar – President of Voice of Youth Foundation spoke on female feoticide. Mrs.Rajinder Kaur Bhatia – Principal of the school in her thanks giving address appreciated the help extended by various organizations and assured that such like camps will be organized in the future also.

Others who worked hard to make the function success included Sh.Bhajan Singh, Sh.Avtar Chibber, Sh.Rajesh Verma, Sh.Gulshan Gaba, Sh.Ramadhar Singh, Sh.Anod Kumar, Sh.Ashish Moliry, Dinesh, Rajeev Kumar, Ashutosh, Veersukhpal, Anil Kumar.