DC Flags off Environment Awareness Vans to Educate Farmers Against Stubble Burning

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 13^th October:- The SAS Nagar Deputy Commissioner Daljit Singh Mangat today flagged off four ‘Environment Awareness Vans’ to be operated by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to sensitize the farmers about the ill effects of stubble burning on human as well as environmental health of the State.

On the occasion, D S Mangat appealed to the farmers to desist from burning the paddy residue as it has posed a major threat to ecological balance of the State causing major health and environmental problems. The farmers should adopt new techniques developed by the agricultural scientists for whom the State Government provides 50 percent subsidy, he added. D S Mangat called upon the departments concerned to be more vigilant and take stern action against the erring persons.

The PPCB Environmental Engineer Surinder Singh Matharu said  that under this state wide campaign launched from today against stubble burning,  the PPCB would  operate two ‘Environment Awareness Vans’ in every district  during the ongoing paddy season to create awareness among farmers by specially designed audio package based on Gurbani and Punjabi folk idiom. He said that these vans will reach every nook and corner of the State including fields to deliver the message direct to the farmers who are indulging in the practice of stubble burning, he said.    

It is pertinent to mention here that the  Supreme Court designated Environment Protection Control Authority has directed Punjab and Haryana governments in meeting held in the last week at Chandigarh to chalk out the comprehensive program to achieve the target of zero tolerance to the menace stubble burning.