The struggle against pollution of surface water has started taking shape in Punjab, as various activists from different fields came together believing that the river was losing its music and ability to feed. Among such rivers, Buddha Darya is one that flows near Ludhiana city and is therefore considered a contributing source of polluted water in Satluj toxicity towards Pakistan.
Nearly two weeks ago, Kale Pani da Morcha started by environmental groups Naroya Punjab Manch, PAC Mattewara, Punjab Vatavarn Chetna Lehar and individuals is now becoming popular. On Sunday many activists like mainly Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal, food policy expert Devinder Sharma, filmmaker Amitoj Mann, activist and journalist Hamir Singh, environment enthusiasts Jaskirat Singh Mandhir Singh Paramjit Singh Professor Manjit Singh Mahinderpal Loomba assembled at the place where the Budda rivers meet with Dariya and Sutlej decided to hold a “freedom” event polluteProtest march in Ludhiana on August 15.
“I wonder about the mentality of those who polluted the Buda River and Satluj. Can they look into the eyes of their children and grandchildren and say it’s okay to poison drinking water of millions for profit?” asked Kanwar Grewal.
“It’s tragic for Punjab state because both Zilla (the river) and distilleries located near Budda river have contaminated all waters brought within Punjab due to industry which colluded with officials from Punjab Pollution Control Board failing to take appropriate measures. This break needs to happen so that there will be no more pollution for rivers in Punjab,” said Jaskirat Singh.
Amitoy Mann said many big industries exist everywhere around the globe but this type of contamination isn’t seen elsewhere even Tamil Nadu dye-polluting factories are being shut down or shifted to zero liquid discharge technology so as not to contaminate rivers and underground water.
Devinder Sharma noted, “Polluting rivers increase GDP because factories make money, hospitals make money and cleaning contractors also make money. On the other hand, keeping rivers clean does not lead to increased GDP. It is an entirely absurd economic model. Bhai Mandhir Singh said the bureaucracy was happy to let it remain polluted because it was beneficial to them individually as they stopped.
Hamir Singh said that only people can solve this problem and for that the villagers should pass a resolution in their Glen Sabha and submit it to the government so as to break with the government. Water Warriors professor Manjit Singh says that people usually fill plastic bags with garbage and throw them into Sutlej river which needs to stop. Paramjit Singh of Sikh Siyasat said we must all immediately turn our attention to preventing pollution of rivers. Mahinderpal Loomba said organizing committees have been formed for Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Mansa and Sangrur at village level Krishna Kumar has been assigned responsibility of coordinating work in these (Muktsar) districts but other areas will be covered soon too.
