The Indian Express              05.06.2013

To mark Environment Day, MC to display painting measuring 102 feet

On the occasion of the World Environment Day on Wednesday, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation will contribute its bit in a unique way in coordination with city-based artists group ARS.

In one of the most polluted cities, as per WHO report of 2011, colour pallet and stroke of brushes will try to make a difference. A painting measuring 102 feet by 4 feet will be on display for a day at Rose Garden on Wednesday.

The painting based on the theme of environment conservation was given the finishing touches on Tuesday at the hall of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Sarabha Nagar, and it took around three days for 41 artists to make it.

Praveen Kumar, from ARS, a group including freelancers and various artists from different professions, told Ludhiana Newsline, "We wanted to mark Ludhiana's contribution on such a sensitive issue and thus asked for permission from MC to display this huge painting in Rose Garden. We want this industrial city to understand its responsibility towards earth."

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said, "I have always felt the need for polluted city like Ludhiana to engage in such activities. I make sure that nothing is left on my plate after meal and zero food wastage is my funda."

According to him, approximately one bin of paper is saved in the mayor's office daily since he has joined. "I have told my staff not to use fresh paper while giving me the records of newspaper clippings. Now clippings are pasted on used waste papers and we save many trees," he said.

However, despite these claims, the policy of the civic body to rope in private companies and individuals to maintain green parks, belts and roundabouts in the city has drawn flak from residents.

The invitation to adopt green areas issued by landscaping branch in September 2012 got poor response with not more than 10 applications being received.