Punjab Minister for Local Government and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Ravjot Singh gave a call to the public to shun the use of plastic for the protection of environment and to follow the theme of this year 'Beat Plastic Pollution'. Chairing the State Level Function to mark the World Environment Day organised by Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Punjab, at Indian School of Business, Mohali, Dr Ravjot Singh expressed concerns over the prevailing environmental challenges of the State and highlighted the holistic remedial actions being undertaken by the Bhagwant Singh Government to address the same in a time bound manner to make Punjab as one of the healthiest State with clean and green environment.
He further informed that the State Government has already banned Single-Use Plastic (SUP) in the State due to its harmful effects on the environment but also prohibited its manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use. The concerned Departments/Agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance and promote use of Non-plastic and Eco-friendly alternatives.
He further called upon the people of the State to contribute at their own level for the improvement of their surroundings and environment by following the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who preached us to respect and conserve nature by equating ‘Air’ with Guru, ‘Water’ with Father and Earth with Mother. He also made a clarion call to the citizens of Punjab to adopt ecofriendly lifestyle and have compassion for nature and its all attributes.
Inaugurating the celebrations, Dr. Ravjot Singh, launched an awareness campaign for plantation in the State by distributing plants and calling upon the people to participate in the Nobel cause. He asked people to shun the use of plastic for protection of environment. The Minister distributed cheques of Rs. 8.10 Cr to the organizations/departments for eco-restoration works and virtually inaugurated two important research laboratories in Punjab Biotechnology Incubator.
Besides, the Local Government Minister released Books titled Phenomenological Wonder of Nature in Gurbani jointly prepared by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and Khalsa College Amritsar and Bilingual Encyclopedia Dictionary of Environment and Climate Change prepared by the Council. A technical report Pathways to Net Zero in Punjab: Critical Role of Non-CO2 Pollutants jointly prepared by PSCST and Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD), USA was also released on the occasion.
Recognizing the outstanding and significant contributions made in the field of Environment, Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources of Punjab, the Minister conferred 2025 edition of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab State Annual Environment Award today to four organizations namely Gram Panchayat, Village Jangirana, District Bathinda in the category of Gram Panchayat; Govt High School Malkon, Mansa in the category of Institution; Green Planet Society, Zirakpur, SAS Nagar in the category of NGO/Social Organization and Natraj Wooltex Limited, Amritsar in the category of Industry.
The Award includes cash prize of Rs. 1 Lac, a certificate of appreciation and silver plate memento to each organization. Besides, the Minister also felicitated 8 grassroot innovators of Punjab, selected out of 1043 entries for developing low cost indigenous technologies and processes with their own ingenuity and know-how.
District Coordinators of Sangrur, Patiala, Ludhiana and Amritsar were also felicitated for achieving the best districts award in India in the National Eco-creativity & Innovation Hackathon. Govt Senior Secondary School, Kot Khalsa, Amritsar was also felicitated for winning WIPRO Earthian Award, 2024.
The Govt Senior Secondary School, Kot Khalsa, Amritsar was among the 20 best schools of the Nation chosen for this prestigious award. The Honble Minister also released a booklet to facilitate the grassroot innovators prepared by PSCST.
Member Rajya Sabha, Padam Shri, Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, while expressing concern over the worldwide trends of the environment depletion said that its' our collective responsibility to save our planet earth from the challenges coming ahead due environment ill effects. Citing example of Kali Being that was once known for a pollutant water body and now a sacred source of water, he said that we make everything possible by putting hard efforts.
He said when the Cleaning of Budha Nullah was started in Ludhiana, a lot of bottlenecks came in the way but now the stretch encompassing 12 villages bad three colonies have shown the way to follow rest of the part too. He said that in the coming days, the water flowing in the Budha Nullah will be clear and clean, he has affirm believe. He called for a collective and positive human approach to conserve environment around us.
Among the prominant persons present there included Priyank Bharti, Secretary, Science, Technology and Environment, Manish Kumar, Special Secretary, Science, Technology and Environment-cum-Director, Environment, Parminder Pal Singh, Commissioner, MC Mohali, Pritpal Singh, Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Dr Ajit Dua, CEO, Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, G S Majithia, Member Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board besides environmentalists and representatives of the Industries and community organizations.