Ludhiana: In 2024, a highly effective wave of green activism swept by communities, as residents grew to become more and more conscious of their elementary rights to clean air and water. In efforts to spark change, a devoted group of locals got here collectively to sort out the rising environmental challenges plaguing their environment. They reached out to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in search of justice and motion.
The air pollution choking the Buddha Dariya remained a prime concern. Besides this, points comparable to deforestation and park encroachments additionally fueled the calls for a sustainable future.
Buddha Dariya Battle: Taking Stand Against Rising Pollution
In June, activists, beneath the banner of Kale Pani Da Morcha, organized a protest calling for the rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya. They gave the federal government a three-month ultimatum to deal with the air pollution within the river, warning that if no motion was taken, they might block the drain close to the river’s entrance to the villages.
Thereafter, in August, a march was organized on Ferozepur Road to boost consciousness among the many lots concerning the rising air pollution within the Dariya. The activists had then introduced that on Dec 3, they might block the retailers of widespread effluent remedy vegetation of the dying business at Tajpur Road.
The activists claimed that as a result of Buddha Dariya’s polluted water, the Satluj river was getting contaminated. Since the water of Satluj river is used for consuming functions by folks not solely within the Malwa belt but additionally in eight districts of Rajasthan, some residents from the state additionally joined the protest. The activists are adamant in regards to the closure of CETPs of dyeing models at Tajpur Road, from the place handled water is getting into the Buddha Dariya. The activists identified that the Union ministry of surroundings and forests had authorised the CETPs, with the reassurance that handled water wouldn’t be discharged into the drain. However, they blatantly ignored these directives. The difficulty is presently pending earlier than the NGT.
Seechewal Opens Front Against Polluters
Environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, who stayed within the metropolis to supervise the cleansing of the drain, has now determined to stay completely in Ludhiana till the drain is restored to its authentic situation.
Call to End Encroachment Over Public Parks
The activists additionally raised their voices in opposition to commercialization of public parks, in addition to the set up of tiles on the roadside. These issues had been raised earlier than the NGT, however officers struggled to supply passable solutions. The use of the green belt close to Lodhi Club for parking functions by the membership and a personal college raised eyebrows. Even the officers couldn’t show their level in courtroom.
Solid Waste Crisis: MC Takes Action
The difficulty of strong waste administration within the metropolis was taken up earlier than the National Green Tribunal, and a courtroom commissioner was appointed to confirm the information submitted by the officers and activists. The courtroom commissioner additionally submitted his report in opposition to the civic physique’s claims. To the reduction of the residents, the MC may finalize tenders for strong waste processing and bioremediation of legacy waste this year.
MC’s Struggle to Secure Funds
The civic physique continued to face challenges in securing funds beneath the National Clean Air Programme, because the central govt denied the monetary help, citing little or no enchancment within the air high quality index of the town. However, the MC lately requested the central govt to difficulty grants price Rs 54 crore to them, stating that their PM ranges confirmed enchancment after the development work of the elevated highway got here to an finish. Notably, from 2020 until 2023, Ludhiana obtained Rs 91.75 crore beneath the fifteenth Finance Commission, and the MC utilized Rs 83.48 crore for air high quality enchancment initiatives.
Complaints Against Illegal Axing of Trees
The activists continued to complain in opposition to the unlawful axing of timber within the metropolis. This year, for the primary time, an FIR was registered in opposition to two residents for illegally axing the timber. The residents even highlighted the difficulty on social media.
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