Why a proposed mega textile park in Ludhiana under PM MITRA scheme is facing opposition

A proposal to set up a mega textile park in Punjab's industrial hub, Ludhiana, has been red-flagged by locals, environmentalists and even some political leaders.

About the project:

• A Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park, under the PM-MITRA scheme, has been proposed to be set up in Ludhiana.
• The land required for the project, being undertaken jointly by the Centre and the state government, falls near the Mattewara forest and on the river Sutlej floodplains.
• The ‘objective of the project’ as ‘sustainable industrialisation’ that does not harm the environment to ‘meet the United Nations sustainable development goal 9.’

Opposition to the Project:

• It touches Mattewara forest from two sides, and also borders river Sutlej on one
• There are fears that the project would not only disturb the biodiversity of the protected forest, but might also lead to chemical discharge from factories into the river.

Mattewara forest

• The Mattewara Forest, spread over 2300 acres, is home to many birds, monkeys, deer, sambar, antelopes, wild boar, Nilgai, and peacocks.
• The Botanical & Butterfly Garden is one of the finest and fastest developing gardens being maintained by the Forest Division of Ludhiana.
• Mattewara forest is also part of natural corridors for big cats. For instance, leopards passing through the jungles of Anandpur Sahib and Ropar area can be spotted at Mattewara.
• Despite being rich in biodiversity, the forest was never moved from the protected forest category to a more stringent reserved forest or wildlife sanctuary category, which would have prevented commercial and residential activities in the surrounding area.

Pradhan Mantri - Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks Scheme (PM MITRA)

• PM MITRA is inspired by the 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister.
• The ‘5F’ Formula encompasses –
• Farm to fibre
• fibre to factory
• factory to fashion
• fashion to foreign
• This integrated vision will help furthering the growth of textile sector in the economy.
• No other competing nation has a complete textile ecosystem like us. India is strong in all five Fs.