Planting forests will protect property and preserve ecological balance, says NRI Sabha
NRI Sabha vice-president Satnam Chana has urged NRIs to grow forests on their agricultural land in Punjab to help maintain ecological balance and prevent illegal occupation of their properties, reported tribuneindia.com.
NRIs encouraged to preserve their land by investing in long-term forestation projects.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar on “Youth Immigration Trends, Causes, and Its Impact” at NRI Sabha, Chana highlighted the alarming decline in Punjab’s forest cover. “While the ideal forest cover should be 33 per cent, Punjab currently has only 3.6 per cent, which is dangerously low and poses significant environmental risks,” he said.
Satnam Chana emphasized that while local farmers cannot afford to grow forests due to their financial obligations, NRIs are in a position to invest in long-term plantation projects that could last five years or more
Government Support for Tree Plantation
NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal also encouraged NRIs to hold onto their ancestral land instead of selling it. “I advise every NRI visiting me to retain their land and dedicate at least one acre for tree planting.
I firmly believe NRIs will remain connected to Punjab as long as they own property here,” Dhaliwal stated.
Expert Insights on Immigration and Land Use
The seminar featured insights from a range of experts addressing immigration trends and their impact on Punjab. Key speakers included socio-political scientist from Panjab University Prof Ronki Ram, retired IAS officer Kahan S Pannu, and economist Prof Gian Singh from Punjabi University, Patiala.
International voices also contributed to the discussion. Former Toronto judge Inderjit S Bal, Calgary-based journalist Rishi Nagar, and Melbourne-based Punjabi writer Balwant Singh were among the distinguished participants. Other contributors included Prof Mandeep Kaur from the University of Victoria in Canada and Jagjit Singh from Sikh Studies and Teachings in Brampton.
The seminar aimed to foster dialogue on preserving Punjab’s ecological and cultural heritage while addressing the causes and consequences of youth migration.
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