Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal inaugurated the Van Mahotsav on Monday by planting saplings at the Mattewara Forest in Ludhiana. The event marked the start of a plantation campaign organized by the Public Action Committee (PAC) aimed at restoring vacant stretches within the forest and transforming them into a lush green ecosystem. Nearly 4,000 saplings were supplied by Sant Avtar Singh Memorial Nursery, Seechewal, for the drive.
Climate Change Concerns Highlighted
Addressing the gathering, Seechewal emphasized that global warming and climate change have emerged as major challenges worldwide. He noted that several European countries are currently experiencing intense heatwaves, with over 1,300 deaths reported due to extreme heat. Planting and preserving trees, he said, is the most effective way to combat global warming and maintain ecological balance.
Mattewara Forest: Lungs of Punjab
Seechewal described the Mattewara Forest as the “lungs of Punjab” and stressed that protecting and expanding forests is a shared responsibility. He urged people to reconnect with nature and plant more trees to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.
PAC’s Ongoing Efforts
PAC leader Colonel CM Lakhanpal stated that the organization has been working consistently for the past four years toward the development of the Mattewara Forest. He revealed that out of the forest’s total area of 4,500 acres, 975 acres of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) land have already been handed over to the Forest Department. A dense forest covering nearly 1,000 acres will be developed on this land.
