The ‘Trees for Communities’ initiative is carrying out plantation activities in various villages across the district
MOGA: Stubble burning continues to pose serious environmental and health hazards, especially in agriculture-centric states like Punjab and Haryana. The severity of the issue was highlighted recently by the Moga Deputy Commissioner when he issued show-cause notices to SDMs, PCS officers, SHOs, block development and panchayat officers, following reports of stubble burning on November 4, 2024. According to news reports, FIRs have been filed against nearly 61 individuals in the district.
Meanwhile, given the adverse impact of stubble burning on the environment and existing wildlife habitats, environmental champions are campaigning for practical solutions like tree planting to restore ecological balance and mitigate air pollution.
“Stubble burning is a major source of air pollution, especially during harvest season. Air pollution levels in the Moga region have been alarmingly high, with particulate matter contributing to respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and an increase in cancer rates. Punjab’s depleting forest cover is a contributing factor to the region’s deteriorating air quality. With 25000 trees, we hope to create extensive carbon sinks and infuse hope in this bleak narrative, " says Pradip Shah, co-founder of social enterprise Grow-trees.com.
Grow-trees.com's ‘Trees for Communities’ project is all set to plant 25, 000 new trees this year across the villages of Ghal Kalan, Daroli Bhai, Dagru, Saffuwala, Sosan, Mahesari, Kahan Singh Wala and Daulatpura Niwan in Moga district.
“Trees can not only prevent the impacts of climate change and pollution but also prevent the depletion of topsoil and address ecological imbalances in the region. Plantation initiatives also engage local communities in the restoration of their environment and inculcate in them robust environmental stewardship, ” adds Mr Shah.
Earlier, the organisation had planted 65, 000 trees under the same project in Ghal Kalan, Dhalle Ke, Khosa Pando, Ratiyan, Manawan, Khosa Jalal Singh Wala, Khosa Kotla, Ghaloti, Daroli Bhai, Kot Ise Khan, Dhune Ke and Rajiana villages. The project has not only nourished the environment but also made a significant impact on local employment and community welfare, as evident in the words of local administrators and villagers.
“The tree plantation project has provided much-needed employment for our community and brought us closer together toward a common goal of improving our environment. Our community has always had a strong connection to the land, and now, with the tree plantation project, we have strengthened that bond by shaping our environment for the better, ” says Sukhwinder Singh, Sarpanch, Chak Kanian Kalan.
29-year-old farmer Kulvir Singh adds, “The trees we planted, like Neem and Moringa, have medicinal uses and are very beneficial for our community members. This project has truly improved our lives in so many ways, and I am proud to be a part of the initiative, which is immensely benefiting our villages."