The construction of an Industrial Park near Mattewara forest could have been a death invite for Punjab

The people of Punjab, environmental activists, socialorganizations, and many political leaders have been protesting against thedecision of the government to set up an Industrial Park near Mattewara.

Recently, during the Vidhan Sabha session, Punjab CM,Bhagwant Mann stated that all the permissions to set up an Industrial Park nearthe Mattewara forest have been passed. After hearing this, the Punjab VidhanSabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan wrote a letter to the Chief Ministerrequesting him to cancel this order as the construction of the Industrial Parkcan be a threat to the people of Punjab.

Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha had also carried out protests againstthis decision. Khalsa Aid Organization, Pargat Singh, and Raja Warring (MLAs ofCongress) also visited the site.

1. Mattewara Forest is located near Punjab’s largest riverSutlej and holds both historical and religious value for the people of Punjab.

The Mattewara Forest protects the whole Ludhiana city fromthe fear of floods and absorbs all harmful gases emitted by the industries. Itis a source of oxygen and fresh air for the people of Punjab. Setting up ofindustrial park near the forest would have had a very harmful impact on itsvegetation and wildlife. This Industrial Park would have also polluted the alreadypolluted water of river Sutlej.

2. According to the reports, Punjab should have 33% offorest area under it but has only 3.67% which is already very alarming. Tomaintain the environmental balance, the state needs to have 29.33% more forestcover under it. This means that we need more forests instead of turning thealready existing forests into barren land.

3. Another important aspect is the land. If an industrialpark would have been constructed near the Mattewara forest, then many people living near itwould have been displaced. The main occupation of people living there is farming byusing the water of Sutlej. If they were removed from that place then they would have had no other occupation to practice and source of income.

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Now, the decision taken has been cancelled by the governmentto protect the forest land of Mattewara.