One-lakh fish seeds released into Beas river

Punjab Environment Minister O P Soni released one lakh fish seeds into the Beas river today as a part of the state government's commitment to further improve the aquatic ecosystem and environment within the water body.

Accompanied by Baba Bakala-constituency MLA Santokh Singh Bhalaipur and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, the minister took a boat ride for releasing the fish seeds.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines, the minister said a fine of Rs 5 crore was imposed on a firm which had spilled molasses in the river. He said the mill was still closed.

Soni said the need of hour was to sensitise the people for this cause, adding that the 'Tandrust Punjab' mission would act as a catalyst to save the environment.

He assured that all-out efforts would be made to make the state's rivers pollution-free and clean. Twenty-lakh fish seeds will be released in the rivers by August 15, Soni added.