Chandigarh, Sep 8 (UNI) Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal today called for a nature-centric approach to mitigate recurring floods in Punjab, emphasizing the need to leave river floodplains unencumbered.
Drawing from his 29 days of direct engagement with flood-affected communities, he stressed adapting agricultural practices to global climate change and preparing society for its challenges.
Sant Seechewal highlighted that modern development models have led to environmental degradation, including deforestation and mountain destruction, exacerbating flood risks.
He noted that ancient civilisations thrived along rivers due to their fertile soil, but human interference with natural ecosystems has invited disasters.
Punjab has approximately 900 km of earthen embankments along the Sutlej (226 km), Ravi (164 km), Beas (104 km), and Ghaggar (100 km) rivers, with an additional 300 km of temporary embankments along smaller streams. Constructed in the 1950s and 60s, these structures have been overwhelmed by unprecedented water levels this year.
To bolster flood defences, Sant Seechewal proposed building permanent roads on these embankments and planting trees alongside them.
He also advocated a simple yet effective measure: planting five trees in each of Punjab's 1.4 million tubewells, which could add 7 million trees.
This initiative, he said, would not only help control floods but also promote timely rainfall, enhancing environmental resilience. UNI NB SSP