1st Annual Program

1st annual program

Review On Save Environment Activates

 &

 Implementation

Was conducted under the banner of Joint Effort - at Virsa Vihar Hall , Amritsar on 19th Dec 2009.

joint effort came into existence some where around 2007. this was in fact 1st annual program , for reviewing the annual activities in 2009 conducted NGO's under common understanding .Later this year it became a movement.

This year’s main focus was on 'Save Environment" under the joint effort forum. 

In 2009, there was mainly two programs related to environment, firstly plantation of tress on different occasions beside a mass plantation program by “Department of forest’ was on board, in which JOINT EFFORT was natural allies for district administration, forestry department & private schools & education societies. The objective mass plantation was not limited to ‘implant’, but to make sure for its survival.

Secondly the burning of straw & other residue left after harvesting the rabi crop was a major issue for our district.

concern of the Guest & general public was  about farmers are burning wheat straw and the other residue left after harvesting the rabi crop from the last several years and problems related to it.

The summary of talk is as under.

EFFECTS

Burning of wheat straw has the following bad effects:

1.Environment pollution: Smoke produced due to burning of wheat straw contains harmful and deadly gases like carbon monoxide ,carbon dioxide etc. Thick mass of smoke enveloping the earth can be seen during these days. Already pollution has crossed all the limits due to industrial development, agricultural revolution and various other human activities. Dangerous aerosols are emitted due to burning of wheat straw.

2. Fire Accidents: Due to uncontrolled fire of wheat straw, many acres of wheat crop get burnt every year. This fire sometimes reaches nearby areas like godowns, food grain stocks, army ammunition depots etc. There are daily reports of fire accidents during these days.

3. Harm to trees: Thousands of trees on the road side, banks of canals and in the fields get scorched to death due to the fire of wheat stumps. Most of the times, farmers burn the wheat straw when the wind blows towards the road so that it does not spread to the

4. Diseases: Due to smoke and soot suspended in the air, many diseases like cough, fever, cold, T.B., cancer, irritation in eyes, allergy, choking of lungs, and problem in breathing and other respiratory problems are increased in these days. Thousands of people die due to these diseases due to lack of proper health care and poor arrangements in civil hospitals. According to doctors, the number of patients suffering from respiratory problems and allergies increase during this season.

5. Increase in Temperature: When wheat straw is burnt, temperature in the nearby areas increases several degrees above the normal leading to environmental changes.

Major concern was beside a LAW & BAN on the burning of wheat straw as

Punjab government and district administration impose ban on burning of wheat straw under section 144 Cr. P.C

Every year these ban orders remain limited to papers only. The ban does not get implemented and remains as mere warning to the farmers. Farmers do not bother about these orders and burn wheat straw without any hesitation. No punishment is given to the erring farmers although rules have been framed to prevent pollution from industries and factories and heavy fines are imposed to those violating these rules but no concrete step has been taken to stop the burning of wheat straw’

The problem was identified as “Implementation of Law’ 

Mr. K.S.Pannu, Deputy Commissioner – Amritsar, was at program, he highlighted on LAW & BAN, Alternative to burning of straw & its economical benefits, 

.Mr. Gurbax Singh , Dr. N.C. Kajal , Mr. P.S Bhatti was speaks for the evening

Respected speakers were eminent on subject & local to geographical situation came with a single opinion that

This may take time to actualized, but few signals are there on which it can’t be ruled out, that this year Amritsar had less bad effects on environment & public health caused by burning of  straw

This can only be possible by steps taken by local administration under the administration of MR. K.S Pannu, in implementing LAW & BAN.

For this JOINT EFFORT, guest that includes farmers thanked to local administration & honored to MR K.S Pannu for Implementing LAW