ENVIRONMENT MINISTER MEET HAYER STRESSES UPON MASS AWARENESS AND SENSITIZATION TO SAVE ENVIRONMENT

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, October 9, 2023: Punjab Minister for Science Technology, Environment and Water Resources, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer gave clarion call to the society to invest in Environment to save our future. Adressing a Seminar on Environment organized by Bhagat Puran Singh Watavaran Sambhal Society, at the auditorium of Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, the Minister said that we are exploiting our natural resources by one and the other way.

          Citing live example of exploitation of ground water, he said that we could not use canal water 100 percent for irrigation so far that results in 78 percent of our blocks in dark zone. He said that no one focused on the judicious use of canal water for irrigation purpose earlier but the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government has asserted on availability of canal water for irrigation to every nook and corner of the state and we have saved 24 percent of ground water so far by doing so.

          Making satire on the statements of opposition of having no drop of water to give other states, he said that in the last regimes, no one sincerely thought of use of Canal water in full capacity for irrigation and if they would have done  so; the table of ground water in state could not go deeper. He said Punjab has no surplus water indeed as the case of dark zones is emerging as a serious problem for all of us.

          Appreciating the concern of Bhagat Puran Singh Watavaran Sambhal Society towards deteriorating environment in Punjab, the Minister for Science, Technology and Environment said that today there is number of challenges standing before us. Green Cover is deteriorating speedily, water table is depleting day by day, single use plastic posing danger and stubble is being set on fire to dispose of in a much easier way. He said, we have to make  the people aware and sensitise the students of the issues posed by the polluted environment. Students can set new precedents by taking pledge of not using single use plastic and guiding by the others too. Similarly, we should adopt maximum canal water for irrigation and planting saplings in abundance and taking care of them till their growth.

          He said the society can contribute more to maintain ecological balance than the governments. The Governments can initiate a campaign but to make it successful is the responsibility of ours. He said we should tell our young generation the importance of tress, water and environment based on clean air.

          Minister Meet Hayer felicitated the students of government schools of SAS Nagar district bagging first three positions in 10th and 12th exams. The students who were awarded with the appreciation certificates included Gurleen Kaur, Priya Sharma, Armanpreet Kaur, Harshpreet Kaur, Ranjandeep Kaur.

          Renowned Environmentalist and panelist, Dr Piara Lal Garg and Shruti Shukla also addressed the gathering and shared their concerns over the environment and suggested various measures to save it.

          President Gurmail Singh Mojowal said that the society is working in the field since 17 years with a commitment to make aware the people to save the environment besides planting saplings.

          The prominent present on the occasion included Chairperson, Punjab School Education Board, Dr Satinder Kaur Bedi, Dr Piara Lal Garg , Shruti Shukla and Theatre artist Anota Shabdish besides the members of society, Gurmail Singh Mojowal, Hardev Singh Kler, Harinder Pal Singh Harry, Dharampal Hoshiarpuri and Amarjit Kaur.

          The Cabinet Minister Also planted a sapling in the premises of Punjab School Education Board on this occasion.