Sultanpur Lodhi (Punjab), July 17 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced the launch of a statewide campaign to clean rivers and drains. Addressing a gathering here during a function to mark the 22nd anniversary of the cleaning of the holy Kali Bein rivulet, the Chief Minister said Punjab is a sacred land of great gurus and saints, who have shown the way to preserve the environment. He said following in the footsteps of the gurus, the state government will soon embark upon a massive campaign to clean the natural resources in form of rivers and drains in the state.
While there is no dearth of funds for this noble cause, he called upon people to support it and make the campaign a mass movement. He also said the state government was making concerted efforts to enhance the green cover, for which the ‘Shaheed Bhagat Singh Haryiwal Lehar’ program has been started. Mann urged the people to come forward in large numbers to make Punjab clean, green, and pollution free.
The Chief Minister said the government is also making efforts for checking the depletion of groundwater by ensuring optimum utilization of surface water, thereby reducing the pressure on groundwater. This year the government has incentivized direct sowing of rice (DSR) due to which 20 lakh acres have been covered by opting for this method. Mann said in another initiative the government has given MSP on ‘moong’ to diversify from the wheat-paddy cycle and conserve water. Slamming the previous state governments for ruining the eco- system of the state, the Chief Minister said it is unfortunate that those who have entrusted the responsibility of serving the state.
