Fazilka: Asia’s first energy-saver town

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071206/bathinda.htm#9
Fazilka, December 5
The Czech Republic Magazine Carbuster in its 32nd issue, focusing on the theme ‘faith and environment” has selected Fazilka as the first Asian town for adopting the best energy saving practices to fight against global warming in transportation.
Fazilka has set the best example to reduce the effect of global warming. Using religion and world car free network, the city has been successful in bringing together organisations and individuals dedicated to promoting alternatives to car dependence at the local level and working to reduce the human impact on natural environment while improving the quality of life for all.
The campaign was started by the Patron of Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF), Bhupinder Singh, on April 22 on the occasion of ‘Earth Day’ by organising a cycle rally for senior citizens followed by installing hoardings of holy messages from Shri Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Nanak Dev Ji on ‘Dharti Tapan’ (global warming) in Fazilka.
The campaign got an impetus this year when global warming became the theme of the “Fazilka Heritage Festival-2007.”
According to a survey conducted by Bhupinder Singh, at present, Fazilka generates 17.5 tons of solid waste every day. Residents have been called upon to stop the use of plastic ware and use CFL lamps instead of the conventional electric bulbs to conserve energy.
Singh maintains that Fazilka is the safest town as no pedestrian and cyclist’s death has been reported in road mishaps within the city zone for a long time.
It is primarily because of 160-year-old narrow residential streets design by the erstwhile East India Company.
To protect the environment, a slogan “Ganga Maiyaa Hum Tere Apradhi, Prayshchit Karenge Cycle Chala Kar, Ped Laga Kar” has been chosen due to the alarming situation arising out of the shrinking of Sunderban delta every year.
One thousand tree samplings have been planted along the Freedom Fighter road in the last five years. This stretch of road and its surrounding areas has been successfully converted into a zero-pollution zone.
The Indian Army has planted more than 9,000 tree samplings in and around Fazilka to bring more land under a green cover. 500 tree samplings have been planted and maintained by progressive farmers at different places.
This year, more than 3000 ‘sheesham’ samplings were gifted and planted by the progressive farmers.
Sub-divisional magistrate of Fazilka Rajiv Prashar has also taken up an initiative to check environmental pollution by imposing a ban on all school children up to the age of 18 years from going to school on automobiles.