Mattewara to Chamkaur Sahib: Punjab takes stand against pollution; fight on for cleaner future

Time of India

30-04-2025

Bathinda: Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered at Chamkaur Sahib for a public hearing against the proposal to establish a paper mill, adding to a growing list of recent environmental campaigns focused on combating groundwater contamination and wildlife preservation.
One such movement emerged from Kum Kalan-Mattewara, where a proposed textile and apparel park, part of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme, was to be developed on 1,000 acres near the eco-sensitive Satluj river in July 2022. The cancellation of the project encouraged environmentalists to rally around residents of villages in the Zira sub-division of the border district Ferozepur.
The villagers had been protesting against a distillery and ethanol project after discovering a strange taste in their borewell water — even at depths of 600 feet. The protests, led by the Zira Sanjha Morcha, gained enough traction to prompt the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct a study on air and water contamination. Based on the findings, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced the closure of the distillery.
These protests also drew attention to Budda Dariya, a nearly 50-km long channel running from Kum Kalan village to Walipur, severely polluted with waste from dyeing and electroplating industries, as well as solid waste. The water from Budda Dariya flows into the Satluj, which serves as a drinking water source for 10 districts in Rajasthan. The battle to save these water resources continues.
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During this environmental outcry, the state govt proposed the construction of biogas plants in Bhundari, Akhara, Mashkabad, Chahar, and Bagga Kalan villages in Ludhiana, as well as Bhogpur in Jalandhar. Starting on March 25, 2024, residents in these areas, supported by social activists and farmer forum BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), began protesting. Due to public resistance, no progress has been made in setting up the plants, and in some areas, industries have even vacated their premises. However, on April 26, police forcibly ended the protest at Akhara. In response, residents gathered again on Wednesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the protest. Activists, including Kanwaljit Khanna, Narain Dutt, and BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) president Manjit Singh Dhaner, reiterated their demand that such industries be located away from populated areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has yet to address the proposed plants' classification.
The public hearing on Wednesday at Chamkaur Sahib was focused on the proposed paper mill, which would occupy nearly 200 acres of land. The PPCB invited residents to voice their objections before the environment impact assessment (EIA) process began. The Public Action Committee, Mattewara Morcha, filed a formal complaint, highlighting concerns over environmental degradation. They urged that the paper mill proposal be rejected.
The committee argued that the proposed site, located near the Sirhind Canal — a vital water source for local agriculture and drinking water — would deplete water supplies. Additionally, the project is expected to discharge untreated effluents and harmful emissions, leading to soil and water contamination, as well as severe air pollution. This could trigger respiratory and skin ailments among residents. The proposed site is also close to a region of immense religious and historical significance, and the committee pointed out that such industrial development would show blatant disregard for cultural and spiritual values.
"Opposing the establishment of a paper mill on such a large scale signifies the evolution of an environmental revolution in Punjab. We have never before witnessed such widespread concern for the environment and for preventing the health risks that contaminated water and air pose to the people," said activists Col Jaskirat Singh (retd), CM Lakhanpal, and Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd).
BOX
GREEN BATTLES, BIG WINS
Victory in Mattewara | The proposed textile park in the eco-sensitive area near the Satluj was cancelled after widespread protests, marking a significant win for environmental activists in the region.
Zira distillery shutdown | Protests by residents led to the closure of a polluting distillery in Zira after the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed water contamination from the facility.
Ongoing biogas plant protests | Residents of villages like Bhundari and Akhara, supported by farmer groups, continue to oppose the setting up of biogas plants, preventing their establishment so far.
Paper mill opposition
| A large public hearing in Chamkaur Sahib saw strong opposition to a proposed paper mill, with activists demanding a halt due to potential water and air pollution risks.
Bathinda: Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered at Chamkaur Sahib for a public hearing against the proposal to establish a paper mill, adding to a growing list of recent environmental campaigns focused on combating groundwater contamination and wildlife preservation.
One such movement emerged from Kum Kalan-Mattewara, where a proposed textile and apparel park, part of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme, was to be developed on 1,000 acres near the eco-sensitive Satluj river in July 2022. The cancellation of the project encouraged environmentalists to rally around residents of villages in the Zira sub-division of the border district Ferozepur.
The villagers had been protesting against a distillery and ethanol project after discovering a strange taste in their borewell water — even at depths of 600 feet. The protests, led by the Zira Sanjha Morcha, gained enough traction to prompt the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct a study on air and water contamination. Based on the findings, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced the closure of the distillery.
These protests also drew attention to Budda Dariya, a nearly 50-km long channel running from Kum Kalan village to Walipur, severely polluted with waste from dyeing and electroplating industries, as well as solid waste. The water from Budda Dariya flows into the Satluj, which serves as a drinking water source for 10 districts in Rajasthan. The battle to save these water resources continues.
During this environmental outcry, the state govt proposed the construction of biogas plants in Bhundari, Akhara, Mashkabad, Chahar, and Bagga Kalan villages in Ludhiana, as well as Bhogpur in Jalandhar. Starting on March 25, 2024, residents in these areas, supported by social activists and farmer forum BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), began protesting. Due to public resistance, no progress has been made in setting up the plants, and in some areas, industries have even vacated their premises. However, on April 26, police forcibly ended the protest at Akhara. In response, residents gathered again on Wednesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the protest. Activists, including Kanwaljit Khanna, Narain Dutt, and BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) president Manjit Singh Dhaner, reiterated their demand that such industries be located away from populated areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has yet to address the proposed plants' classification.
The public hearing on Wednesday at Chamkaur Sahib was focused on the proposed paper mill, which would occupy nearly 200 acres of land. The PPCB invited residents to voice their objections before the environment impact assessment (EIA) process began. The Public Action Committee, Mattewara Morcha, filed a formal complaint, highlighting concerns over environmental degradation. They urged that the paper mill proposal be rejected.
The committee argued that the proposed site, located near the Sirhind Canal — a vital water source for local agriculture and drinking water — would deplete water supplies. Additionally, the project is expected to discharge untreated effluents and harmful emissions, leading to soil and water contamination, as well as severe air pollution. This could trigger respiratory and skin ailments among residents. The proposed site is also close to a region of immense religious and historical significance, and the committee pointed out that such industrial development would show blatant disregard for cultural and spiritual values.
"Opposing the establishment of a paper mill on such a large scale signifies the evolution of an environmental revolution in Punjab. We have never before witnessed such widespread concern for the environment and for preventing the health risks that contaminated water and air pose to the people," said activists Col Jaskirat Singh (retd), CM Lakhanpal, and Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd).
BOX
GREEN BATTLES, BIG WINS
Victory in Mattewara | The proposed textile park in the eco-sensitive area near the Satluj was cancelled after widespread protests, marking a significant win for environmental activists in the region.
Zira distillery shutdown | Protests by residents led to the closure of a polluting distillery in Zira after the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed water contamination from the facility.
Ongoing biogas plant protests | Residents of villages like Bhundari and Akhara, supported by farmer groups, continue to oppose the setting up of biogas plants, preventing their establishment so far.
Paper mill opposition | A large public hearing in Chamkaur Sahib saw strong opposition to a proposed paper mill, with activists demanding a halt due to potential water and air pollution risks.