Noted environmentalist Padam Shri Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, MP visits Hampton Homes

Ludhiana, February 13, 2023: Noted environmentalist Padam Shri Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, MP (Rajya Sabha), also known as “Eco-Baba” on Monday visited Hampton Homes, on Chandigarh Road, and took a round there to know about environment and eco-friendly measures adopted there. He was accompanied by Sanjeev Arora, MP (Rajya Sabha).

“I am very much impressed to see the whole project as every aspect has been taken care of to ensure that this project comes up as completely eco-friendly”, said Sant Seechewal, adding that this is perhaps the rare and unique housing project across the state. He added that there is enough greenery in the area and that there are facilities of water and sewerage treatment plants. “The whole environment is neat and clean, which gives very positive vibes to everyone”, he remarked. He added that it is also good to see that enough open space has been left in the project for greenery and parks.

He said the flat culture is really going to get a boost in the future as the land is getting short due to many reasons. He said that as of now, those in the service and small families prefer to adopt flat culture because this culture ensures accommodation at an affordable price along with complete security.

Sant Seechewal said he, along with Sanjeev Arora, will chalk out a plan for bringing an overall change in the environment of the state. “A lot of needs to be done in this direction in the state”, he remarked. He asserted that there is a dire need to protect clean air, water, and earth because these three things are necessary for human beings. “We should understand our responsibility to remain sincere towards these three things”, he asserted. He added that there is a lot to be done in Punjab as far as the environment is concerned.

Sant Seechewal said no doubt he has succeeded in getting Kali Bein pollution-free, but now he is focusing his attention to get clean Chitti Bein and Buddha Dariya. He said efforts are on to make Biddha Dariya clean in the future, adding that treatment plants are being installed to achieve this task.  He added that everyone, including the industry, should understand its responsibility in protecting the water bodies. However, he said the government must give proper attention to maintain and run treatment plants after its installation.  

He opined that strict measures should be taken to check the mushrooming of unauthorised colonies because such colonies greatly harm the environment. He added that the present state government is taking a hard step against such colonies whereas these colonies had come up in large numbers during regime of the predecessor governments.  

Sant Seechewal also pointed out that there is a need to revive village ponds for maintaining the environment. But, most of these ponds have been encroached upon over the period, which is a matter of regret. The village ponds can be a good source of water for various purposes, he opined  

He also regretted that Punjab’s water level has dipped very deep. He asserted that efforts should be made to go for crop diversification and reduce the production of paddy. At the same time, the drip irrigation system should be promoted. The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday had stated that Punjab is utilising only 34 percent of its canal water whereas Rajasthan is using 87 percent. The CM had further stated that “if this canal water usage for irrigation and other works is even doubled, 50 per cent of the tubewells in Punjab will be closed and groundwater level will come up”, said Sant Seechewal. He added that the underground water could be saved up to 21 percent if some concrete and desired measures are taken.

Sant Seechewal said there is also a need to encourage forestation in the state as only 6 percent of the total area is under forests, whereas ideally, 33 percent area should have been under forests. He said public awareness is required to encourage forestation, adding that he, too, is working towards this direction. “My effort is to increase to 10 per cent of the forest area in next 5 years”, he said, adding that he had even submitted a memorandum in this regard to PM Narendra Modi last year.