Penalise units for dumping untreated waste

Multifaceted approach required

Buddha Nullah, which is mostly polluted with industrial waste, sewage and agricultural runoff, continues to pose a significant environmental threat. The government’s new plan to install 22 lift irrigation projects at various locations along the most polluted tributary of the Sutlej, at an estimated cost of Rs 244.45 crore, despite previously spending Rs 844 crore on rejuvenation efforts, may fail to address the root cause of the pollution if the project is not executed properly. To effectively clean and preserve Buddha Nullah, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is required. First, strict regulations must be implemented to control industrial and agricultural discharge into water. Priority should be given to setting up of efficient sewage treatment plants and proper disposal of waste. A long-term monitoring, sustained investment and effective river restoration efforts combined with new irrigation projects have the potential to fully rejuvenate Buddha Nullah and preserve Punjab’s water resources. Community awareness campaigns at the grassroots can also help reduce pollution.

Novin Christopher

Install sewage treatment plants

Concrete walls should be built on both sides of Buddah Nullah to stop illegal sewerage connections pouring waste into the water body. On lines of Ganga and Yamuna rivers, equipment like skimmers, weed harvester and dredge utility crafts should be used to remove excess vegetation from Buddha Nullah. Right now, authorities are focussing only on cleaning the water. After every 3-5 km, waste treatment plants should be installed to check pollution. The Punjab government should set up a separate department for cleaning drains and nullahs in the state. There is need to hire professional team, which should provide services 24X7. They will also test water quality on a daily basis. The Ludhiana MC won’t be able to handle or maintain the nullah on its own.

Manish Dhawan

Launch public awareness drives

Impose strict penalties on industries that discharge untreated waste into Buddha Nullah. Upgrade and ensure efficient functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs) situated along the nullah.

Conduct regular inspections and audits of industrial waste treatment practices. Sustained public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the harmful effects of pollution should be launched. Involve schools, colleges, NGOs and resident welfare associations in clean-up and monitoring efforts.Community-driven clean-up drives and incentivising public participation can help improve the situation. Install effective drainage filters and mesh nets to stop plastic and solid waste from entering the water. Decentralised waste management systems should be set up to treat waste at local level.

The authorities should promote rainwater harvesting and sustainable urban drainage systems to reduce runoff pollution. There is a need to develop green buffer zones, besides ensuring tree plantation along the banks, as these would act as natural filters. Publish weekly water quality reports to maintain transparency and public pressure. The authorities should introduce bio-remediation techniques to naturally treat polluted water. Encourage industries to adopt zero-liquid discharge systems. Contribution should be sought corporates under CSR to fund long-term solutions. Strict timelines should be set up for government projects with monthly progress reviews. Form a task force involving all stakeholders for coordinated efforts.

Parmeet

Hold polluters accountable

To clean and preserve Buddha Nullah, two critical solutions should be considered. For starters, a strict and consistently implemented regulatory framework for industrial and home waste discharge is required. This includes routine monitoring of wastewater treatment plants and holding polluters accountable through hefty penalties for noncompliance. Secondly, a comprehensive and long-term rejuvenation plan should be developed, with a focus on the nullah’s ecological restoration. This should include desilting of riverbed, implementing bioremediation techniques, planting buffer zones and reusing treated water for irrigation or other non-potable purposes. These two techniques, which combine strict control and ecological restoration, will provide the most viable path to a cleaner Buddha Nullah.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Seechewal’s effort gives hope

The rampant discharge of domestic and industrial waste into the Buddha Darya has earned it the infamous title of Buddha Nullah. The much-hyped Rs 840 crore rejuvenation project of the Ludhiana MC launched in 2021 failed to produce the desired results and the polluted water is now entering various villages, making life of residents miserable. Buddha Nullah is the most toxic water body in the state, threatening the lives of over 2 crore people in Punjab and Rajasthan. The residents believe there is no concrete solution to the problem. However, a ray of hope has arisen as environmentalist and Rajya Sabha member BS Seechewal has embarked on ‘kar seva’ to restore the former glory of the Sutlej tributary as he did for 160-km Kali Bein. As responsible citizens, we should not dump solid waste into the nullah and limit the use of detergent. There is also a need to check discharge from dairies being dumped into the nullah. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) should take a strict action against industrial units that pour untreated effluents into the water body. Encroachments should be removed on either side of the stream. Slums that discharge untreated sewage into the nullah should be relocated.

RS Sembhi

Control pollution in Buddah Nullah

The state government has planned to install irrigation lifts in Budha Nullah by spending a huge amount of money. However, it needs to address the problem of pollution first. If fields around the stream are irrigated with the polluted water, the crops thus grown may harm people. Such a situation should never be allowed. The pollution in water must be controlled before it is used for irrigation purposes. Spending big amount of money on lift irrigation pumps without making the water fit for irrigation purposes is a wasteful exercise. First of all, water should be tested for pollution. Efforts should be made to make the water fit for irrigation through different processes. Also, sources polluting the water body must be checked. If water is found clean enough it can even be used by inhabitants living around the nullah.

Gautam Dev

Monitor pollution level regularly

Spending crores won’t help unless there’s proper execution of the project and public involvement is ensured. To clean Buddha Nullah, the first step should be stopping the flow of untreated industrial and domestic waste into it. Strict action must be taken against industries and households that discharge waste directly. Regular monitoring of pollution levels is needed, along with ensuring proper functioning of sewage treatment plants. The government should also ensure transparency in spending and project progress. Plantation drives along the nullah can help reduce soil erosion and improve the environment. Locals must be educated about the impact of pollution and encouraged to keep the area clean. Schools and colleges can be involved in cleanliness drives. Only a mix of strict rules, honest implementation and community support can truly revive Buddha Nullah and save the Sutlej from getting polluted. The time is to act, not just make plans.

Prabhjot Singh

Plug polluting channels

The city is facing various problems, including pollution, traffic, food adulteration and encroachments. However, pollution in Buddha Nullah has emerged as a serious issue over the last many years. Earlier, Buddha Nullah used to be a stream with clean water, but now it has turned into a dirty drain. It has become difficult to live in its surroundings as there is no clean air to inhale. Efforts have been made to get Buddah Nullah clean by releasing fresh water from the Sutlej into it, but in vain. The local authorities and state government can get the stream cleaned if they have strong political will. The first step is to plug all channels that are polluting Buddah Nullah as it is the dying factories that release effluents. Those who are releasing untreated water and other effluents must be punished and their factories should be locked down. Some stretch of the stream should be allocated to one organisation or big industrialist to get it cleaned. Fences must be erected on both sides of Buddha Nullah. Citizens should pledge not to throw waste into it.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Rope in social bodies for clean-up

For the last several years, numerous steps have been taken to clean Buddha Nullah. Grants have been received even from the World Bank to clean it. Teams from the Centre have visited the city and tried their best to clean the polluted stream, but without much success. Even water from the Sutlej has been released in it, but it continues to be dirty.

The problem can be addressed if dying factories stop releasing water into Buddha Nullah. A fence must be erected on both sides of the stream. Heavy fine should be imposed on those who are throwing waste into it. Some official should periodically inspect the situation. Help from some social organisation or environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal must be taken. Every citizen must come forward to assist the local government. Plants must be grown on both sides of Buddha Nullah.

Farzana Khan

Punjab