Green activists, villagers decry carcass plant project
The state government had earlier announced the promotion and preservation of Mattewara as a sacred historical forest, including the establishment of a biodiversity park and eco-tourism zone. But now contrary to it, a carcass plant has been proposed in the same area at Mattewara near Garhi Fazal village in Koom Kalan tehsil. The simultaneous advancement of a Red Category Industrial Unit, such as a carcass processing plant, is contradictory and has raised concerns among the environment activists and nearby villagers as well.
The villagers fear that while the ongoing proposed green project promised sustainable livelihood and promotion of tourism, but the setting up of a carcass plant may lead to potential rise in diseases. They have now shot a letter to Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain in this regard. “We express our strong and unequivocal opposition to the proposed carcass plant site in close proximity of the sacred and ecologically sensitive region of Mattewara jungles, adjacent to the Sutlej,” said the villagers.
Members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) said that the project directly violates the spirit of the commitment made by the Chief Minister of Punjab on August 11, 2022, promising the preservation and promotion of Mattewara forests.
“Setting up a high pollution, red-category industry near the Sutlej risks irreversible contamination of water resources, which are already under a lot of stress. Such plants notoriously emit toxic odours, airborne bacteria and dispose of organic waste that contaminates the soil and surrounding environment,” said Col CM Lakhanpal of the PAC.
A nearby villager, Surjit Singh, said that the proposed plant would jeopardise the botanical gardens and butterfly parks, planned eco-tourism initiatives and will affect the flora and fauna of the region. “There will be a potential rise in diseases due to the presence of waste and decaying organic matter. It will also lead to degradation of air quality, impacting nearby villages and communities,” he said.
The ongoing and proposed green projects promise sustainable livelihoods, eco-tourism employment and community engagement. All such progress will be reversed if the carcass plant is approved, fear the villagers of Garhi Fazal.
“The land holds cultural, religious and historical value for the people of Punjab. This proposal represents a clear breach of public trust and goes against the will of the people,” added Ranjodh Singh, another member of PAC. The latter has urged PUDA, GLADA, state government and administrative bodies concerned to immediately revoke the proposal for the carcass plant at this ecologically sensitive site existing on the flood plains of the Sutlej.
“This is a wake-up call. The people of Punjab will not allow the sacrifice of their natural and cultural heritage for the sake of industrial expansion. The PAC and citizens stand united to oppose this move with all democratic means available,” added green activists of the PAC.
Meanwhile, another scientific carcass utilisation plant located at Noorpur Bet village is also lying shut for the past four years after it received sharp criticism from the nearby 12 villages, who did not let it operate, fearing foul smell and health issues that they could face. It was constructed at the cost of Rs 7.98 crore under the Smart City Project.
Ludhiana