The people of Punjab, environmental activists, social
organizations, and many political leaders have been protesting against the
decision 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 near
the Mattewara forest have been passed. After hearing this, the Punjab Vidhan
Sabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan wrote a letter to the Chief Minister
requesting him to cancel this order as the construction of the Industrial Park
can be a threat to the people of Punjab.
Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha had also carried out protests against
this decision. Khalsa Aid Organization, Pargat Singh, and Raja Warring (MLAs of
Congress) also visited the site.
Here are the reasons
why protests were being carried out against this decision:
1. Mattewara Forest is located near Punjab’s largest river
Sutlej and holds both historical and religious value for the people of Punjab.
The Mattewara Forest protects the whole Ludhiana city from
the fear of floods and absorbs all harmful gases emitted by the industries. It
is a source of oxygen and fresh air for the people of Punjab. Setting up of
industrial park near the forest would have had a very harmful impact on its
vegetation and wildlife. This Industrial Park would have also polluted the already
polluted water of river Sutlej.
2. According to the reports, Punjab should have 33% of
forest area under it but has only 3.67% which is already very alarming. To
maintain the environmental balance, the state needs to have 29.33% more forest
cover under it. This means that we need more forests instead of turning the
already existing forests into barren land.
3. Another important aspect is the land. If an industrial
park would have been constructed near the Mattewara forest, then many people living near it
would have been displaced. The main occupation of people living there is farming by
using 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.
Now, the decision taken has been cancelled by the government
to protect the forest land of Mattewara.