1 week Ago
Ludhiana: A total of 250 heritage trees were planted along the banks of Buddha Dariya near Bhukhri Khurd village as part of a drive led by environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal . The state tree of Punjab, "Tahli" (Sheesham), was the highlight of the drive. Saplings planted included Neem, Peepal, Tahli, Mulberry (Shahtoot), and Grapefruit (Chakotra).
Ornamental and aromatic varieties like Mandakini, Rose, and Palm were also planted. Village sarpanch Satpal Singh expressed concern about the disappearance of many of Punjab's heritage trees. He requested Seechewal to provide saplings from his nurseries to help revive species on the verge of extinction in the region.
Seechewal said that the Neem and Mulberry saplings planted are already five to seven feet tall to protect them from grazing animals. He also announced that mini forests would be developed wherever excess land was available along the Buddha Dariya. The initiative aims to create habitats for birds and restore the glory of Buddha Dariya.
Seechewal said that although polluted and toxic water from dairies, factories, and municipal sources still flows into some parts of the Buddha Dariya, clean water now reaches the Bhukhri Khurd section. Saying that this was the beginning of the end of pollution in the drain, he declared that the cleanliness campaign would continue till clean water flowed up to Walipur Kalan. Baisakhi celebrations this year also marks clean water reaching the river near Bhukhri Khurd after 35 years.
An Akhand Path initiated at the village gurdwara will conclude on April 13. Village sarpanch Satpal Singh and other dignitaries participated in the plantation drive along the drain. MSID:: 120207323 413 |.
