In 2022, five states in the country will hold elections for assembly. This includes Punjab. The February 20 election for the Punjab Assembly elections has been scheduled.
All political parties are actively campaigning and have made various promises and claims to win over voters. The Assembly elections are designed to elect leaders in any state that will uphold basic rights and provide basic necessities for the citizens.
The election campaign has not addressed the issue of a clean environment. This is the most fundamental requirement for a healthy life. It has been ignored by any political party.
The major natural resources of Punjab (air, water and land) are severely polluted. Our forefathers were aware of the importance natural resources. They revered and respected nature. If we look back at the history, we’ll see that our grandmothers used water to their advantage. However, they now have wastewater from industrial units containing chemicals and sewage water being dumped randomly in water sources.
Religious texts also include highly revered words about natural resources such as Pawan Devta, Jal Devta, and Agni Devta. Guru Nanak, in the 15th century, gave these natural resources the same status and status as Guru, Father, or Mother. He said, “Pawan Guru Pani Mata Dhrat Mahat.”
Our forefathers understood that natural resources are valuable. These resources can only ever be saved and not created. They used them carefully. Unfortunately, in the blind pursuit of economic growth we have begun to pollute natural resources instead worshipping, honoring and conserving them. We have also forgotten that by breathing in polluted oxygen and drinking polluted waters, we are inviting a number horrendous diseases.
Punjab’s air is so polluted that according to IQAir February 8, 2020 index, not a single city here has air quality in the 1—50 category (Good) which is essential for human health. The air quality index for only three cities (Moderate) was below 100 on this day. All other cities were above 100. This indicates that the air is very polluted.
The January and February rainfall is above-average. It is a well-known fact that rain clears the air and pollutants settle on the earth. A World Air Quality Report 2019 report found that six cities in Punjab were amongst the 50 most polluted in the world. According to the 2021 Annual Report of Down to Earth and Center for Science and Environment in 2019, Punjab had 41090 air-related deaths in 2019, which is 18.8% of all deaths.
Air pollution is seriously affecting Punjabi people’s health, but no political party is addressing this issue, even AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal (whose party is in the Punjab election race). He also has not made any promises regarding the environment issues, while blaming Punjab and Haryana for the increasing air pollution in Delhi every single year. If Haryana and Punjab smoke can pollute Delhi’s air, how can Punjab stop that pollution?
All living organisms (flora and fauna, as well as humans) depend on water for their survival. Without water, there can be no fruits, flowers, grains, etc. There is no life on this planet if there isn’t food. This second resource of nature is rapidly decreasing and becoming polluted. Groundwater in Punjabi districts is polluted by arsenic uranium and cadmium as well as lead.
A report from the Water Resources and Environment Directorate of Punjab, Mohali and Central Groundwater Board North Western Region Chandigarh revealed that ground water levels in Punjab are falling by 0.37 meters per year. 110 of the 139 development blocks in Punjab have ground water that is very deep. They have been designated as Dark or Gray Zones.
The declining groundwater level in Punjab is due in part to the ‘New Agricultural Technology,’ which was imposed upon Punjab to meet the country’s food shortfall. New agricultural technology has been extensively used with pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
The excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in Punjab has not only contributed to the country’s food shortage, but has also severely polluted the air and water. Only 0.1% of the pesticides farmers spray on their crops reach the pests. The remaining 99.99% pollute the environment by being absorbed into the air, soil, and water.
These pesticides and chemical fertilizers are later found in Punjabi food, causing many terrible diseases. It is no secret that Malwa is now known as The Cancer Belt.
The saddest thing about Punjab’s water pollution, however, is that the rivers (Panj Abs), which gave it its name, are now just a name. Only two and a quarter rivers have flowed in Punjab since 1947, when India was partitioned. These include Sutlej and Beas as well as a portion of Ravi. The Ravi river flows through a small part of Punjab — Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts.
The Beas is in good condition but many fish died in 2018 due to the release of molasses form KiriAfgana Sugar Mill. The water of Sutlej river is very polluted. The Bhakra Dam is the first to blame for the Sutlej river’s demise. Very little water is being released into river after the dam.
Even more tragic is that all the tributaries to Sutlej have been made into a sewer through the dumping of chemical-rich effluents from industrial units. The river’s polluted water is spreading diseases such as cancer, jaundice, and other illnesses. Its banks are home to many people. Because of the negligence of the government, the river Sutlej is now dying prematurely.
The trees and forests are a precious gift from nature. They absorb pollutants from the air and water and clean it. According to India State of Forest Report 2019, Punjab has a forest cover of only 3.67% of the total area. This should be 33%. Punjab needs to have at least 29.33 percent more forests in order to preserve its natural environment. Punjab has a forest cover of 4.36 percent, which is desert.
The environment in Punjab has become extremely polluted. This has impacted the air, water and land of Punjab. It is now time to save the environment as many people in Punjab are suffering from terrible diseases caused by this pollution.
Pollution of rivers, air, and water is a problem. pollution of air, water, rivers etc. is not a new phenomenon. Six decades ago, air and water pollution were devastating in the United States of America, Canada and many other countries of Europe as a result of unplanned industrial growth. They have overcome it.
The issue of pollution in Punjab is not being addressed by political parties. However, it is important that political will be shown to clean up the environment in Punjab. This issue has not been addressed by the people of Punjab. It is now up to the people of Punjab that they make this an issue in the Assembly elections. They should make it clear to the political parties that they will only win their respect and votes if they pay more attention environmental issues.
The ruling parties in Punjab have ignored the environment, despite being pressured by industrialists and corporations. This is threatening the health, hygiene and lives of the people. Instead of falling for the trap of false promises and claims made by political party leaders, the common man should request that the parties clean up the environment and eliminate pollution.
The government has a responsibility to provide basic human needs such as clean water, sanitation, land, and air. The best time for the public to alert political parties about improving the environment in Punjab is now.
Gurinder Kumar was Professor in the Department of Geography at Punjabi University, Patiala.
