Ludhiana: In 2024, a robust wave of inexperienced activism swept via communities, as residents grew to become more and more conscious of their elementary rights to scrub air and water. In efforts to spark change, a devoted group of locals got here collectively to deal with 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 high concern. Besides this, points comparable to deforestation and park encroachments additionally fueled the requires a sustainable future.
Buddha Dariya Battle: Taking Stand Against Rising Pollution
In June, activists, below the banner of Kale Pani Da Morcha, organized a protest calling for the rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya. They gave the government a three-month ultimatum to deal with the air pollution within the river, warning that if no motion was taken, they’d block the drain close to the river’s entrance to the villages.
Thereafter, in August, a march was organised on Ferozepur Road to boost consciousness among the many lots relating to the rising air pollution within the dariya. The activists had then introduced that on Dec 3, they’d block the retailers of frequent effluent therapy crops of the dyeing trade 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 individuals not solely within the Malwa belt but in addition 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 items at Tajpur Road, from the place handled water is getting into the Buddha Dariya. The activists identified that the Union ministry of setting and forests had authorized the CETPs, with the reassurance that handled water wouldn’t be discharged into the drain. However, they blatantly ignored these directives. The problem is at present 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 towards commercialisation of public parks, in addition to the set up of tiles on the roadside. These issues have been raised earlier than the NGT, however officers struggled to offer passable solutions. The use of the inexperienced 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 court docket.
Solid Waste Crisis: MC Takes Ac ion
The problem of stable waste administration within the metropolis was taken up earlier than the National Green Tribunal, and a court docket commissioner was appointed to confirm the info submitted by the officers and activists. The court docket commissioner additionally submitted his report towards the civic physique’s claims. To the reduction of the residents, the MC may finalise tenders for stable waste processing and bioremediation of legacy waste this yr.
MC’s Struggle to Secure Funds
The civic physique continued to face challenegs in securing funds below the National Clean Air Programme, because the central govt denied the monetary assist, citing little or no enchancment within the air high quality index of the town. However, the MC lately requested the central govt to problem grants value 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 below the fifteenth Finance Commission, and the MC utilised Rs 83.48 crore for air high quality enchancment initiatives.
Complaints Against Illegal Axing of Trees
The activists continued to complain towards the unlawful axing of bushes within the metropolis. This yr, for the primary time, an FIR was registered towards two residents for illegally axing the bushes. The residents even highlighted the difficulty on social media.
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