Year Ender Science Technology and Environment
Chandigarh : In the year 2022, continuous efforts were made by the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to protect the environment. The efforts of the government were successful and good trends emerged. Apart from this, future plans were drawn.
Punjab Environment and Science Technology Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that the campaign launched to stop the trend of burning paddy straw was a great success. The government took important steps on both the in situ and ex situ fronts. As a result, there was a 30 percent reduction in fire incidents this year compared to last year.
More than one lakh stubble management machines were distributed to farmers on subsidy. Special programs were drawn up to honor farmers who did not burn stubble. Instructions were given to ensure the use of paddy straw bales in place of 20 per cent coal in brick kilns. The Adoption of paddy straw by about 2000 brick kilns in Punjab will result in utilization of 5 lakh tonnes of paddy straw per year.
To preserve the environment, the State Government implemented a strict ban on single-use plastic items this year. During the state level event at Dhuri, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann encouraged the residents of the state to follow these orders. Along with the ban, an awareness campaign is also being run by the government. Besides, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Environment Award was instituted to recognize/reward the outstanding contribution of various agencies/institutions in the field of environment.
An Industrial Advisory Committee headed by Chairman and members of Industries/Industrial Associations has been constituted by Punjab Pollution Control Board to address various issues of industries. PPCB banned all small scale industries or institutions/other establishments (with capital investment less than Rs. 10 Cr) operating in designated areas and which have never sought approval from the Board for operation of those units and the Board has decided to extend the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) for those who have never charged a consent fee under the old. Under this, the industries or institutions/other establishments will not have to pay any fee except a one-time notional fee of Rs.5000 from the year 1992 to 31 October 2018.
