Actor Yograj Singh joins campaign against industrial park near Sutlej, Mattewara Forest

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 24

Eminent actor Yograj Singh has joined the campaign, being run by a public action committee (PAC), to save the Mattewara Forest and the Sutlej. He took part in a plantation drive organised by the PAC in the area today, which aimed to spread awareness about the movement against the decision of the Punjab Government to set up a modern industrial park near the Sutlej and Mattewara Forest.

Yograj Singh said he strongly opposed the decision and to prevent a disaster, the government must roll it back and save the rare flora and fauna of the area.

Earlier, environment lovers gathered at the Mattewara bus stand and marched towards the forest. They planted saplings of various kinds and raised slogans to spread their message.

Environment activist and president of Ramgarhia Educational Council, Ranjodh Singh, said the world today needed to be protected from natural calamities and all nature lovers must come forward in support of the campaign to save the reserves.

Col (retd) CM Lakhanpal, a member of the PAC, emphasised that water and air pollution and rapid urbanisation would kill the natural reserves and its flora and fauna. “The pollutants will destroy the Sutlej waters and have devastating effects on the marine life. No industrial park should be set up at this eco-sensitive site”, he said.

Another member, Shaminder Singh Longowal, appealed to the people to join the cause.