P .S.Walia
Sultanpur Lodhi, July 14
With a strong message to protect air, water, and earth, the 4 day celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the voluntary environmental campaign for the sacred Kali Bein have commenced.
The events, held under the leadership of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal at Nirmal Kutia, Sultanpur Lodhi, began with the “Environment Conference 2025” on the first day.
During the conference, speakers expressed deep concern over the deterioration of rivers across India into polluted drains.
Dr. Afroz Ahmad, member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), attended as the chief guest. Praising the efforts of Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, he said that over the past 25 years, Sant Seechewal, with the support of devotees, has cleaned a 165-kilometer stretch of the river, setting a unique example of conserving natural water sources.
Dr. Afroz shared that whenever NGT delivers a decision regarding water conservation, it often highlights the “Seechewal Model.”
He pointed out that in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, where encroachments had nearly wiped out rivers and lakes, NGT has ordered their restoration and declared them once again as rivers and lakes.
He emphasized that the way Sant Seechewal has revived the Kali Bein through voluntary service is being recognized globally. He expressed confidence that the restored Kali Bein will one day be recognized on the global map.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, remarked that the mission led by Sant Seechewal for the cleanliness of Kali Bein is not limited to cleaning alone, but represents a massive environmental and spiritual awakening. He noted that this effort has given Punjab a unique global identity. Highlighting rising pollution levels, he said that even our indoor spaces are now affected, making it difficult to breathe. He suggested placing specific types of plants inside rooms to improve indoor air quality.
Addressing the gathering, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said that the main aim of this conference is to find ways to reduce the rapidly increasing global warming.
He added that had administrative authorities fulfilled their responsibilities properly, such commemorative events would never have been necessary.
Earlier , During the environmental conference at Nirmal Kuteya, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Principal Bench, NGT) and Punjab Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh were warmly welcomed by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. They were taken for a boat ride on the sacred Bein to witness the revival efforts firsthand, and the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of the river water was also checked.
On this occasion, Sant Sukhjit Singh, ADC Varinderpal Singh Bajwa , Begum Sadia, Surjit Singh Shanti, Nirmal Singh Numberdar, Paramjit Singh Mansa, SDM Alka Kalia and DSP Hargurdev Singh were also present .
