NGT member reviews steps for environment protection in meeting
Justice Dr Afroz Ahmad, Member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard the environment, which he termed as a “shared heritage”. He stated this during a review meeting focused on the District Environment Plan of Kapurthala here today.
During the meeting, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, municipal commissioners and heads of various departments, Justice Dr Ahmad expressed satisfaction over the reuse of treated sewage water for irrigation purposes in Kapurthala district.
Highlighting the critical need to conserve groundwater, he stated that it is a precious natural resource and preserving it is a collective responsibility.
Deputy Commissioner Panchal presented a detailed account of the measures being taken for solid waste management across the district. He informed that scientific disposal systems are in place in the municipal areas of Kapurthala, Phagwara, Sultanpur Lodhi and the towns of Nadala, Dhilwan, Bhulath and Begowal. Additionally, waste management infrastructure has been strengthened in 81 villages.
The Deputy Commissioner also outlined the implementation of “Thapar Model” for water purification through the construction of water treatment ponds (chhappars) across the district.
Justice Ahmad reviewed the steps taken to curb industrial pollution and directed the officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to ensure installation of pollution monitoring systems in all industrial units. He also evaluated the segregation and disposal mechanisms of biomedical waste in both government and private hospitals, stressing strict compliance with environmental standards.
Addressing the issue of stubble burning, Justice Ahmad called for awareness seminars to be conducted in villages under the agricultural extension programme. He urged farmers to adopt baler technology for proper utilisation of crop residue instead of burning it.
Deputy Commissioner Panchal assured the NGT member that the district administration is committed to intensifying its efforts for environmental conservation. A ceremonial felicitation of Justice Dr Afroz Ahmad was also held during the event.
Prominent attendees included Dr Akshita Gupta (Commissioner, Phagwara Municipal Corporation), Anupam Kaler (Commissioner, Kapurthala Municipal Corporation), Additional Deputy Commissioners Navneet Kaur Ball and Varinderpal Singh Bajwa, SDMs Devi Goel and Alka Kalia, along with heads of all major departments.
Jalandhar