A massive afforestation drive launched by the Forest department has taken the steel city, once known for high pollution levels, out of the “most polluted cities of Punjab” bracket.

Most of the municipal councils in the border belt are functioning without a sewage treatment plant

When things get bad, they really do. This, in essence, sums up the pollution scenario in the border district of Gurdaspur where two lifelines, Ravi and Beas, are being choked by stone crushers. Officially, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials may paint a rosy picture and claim the rivers are pollution-free.

One of Asia's biggest wetlands, Keshopur Chamb, is set to get a fresh lease of life with the Punjab Government sanctioning Rs 8.10 crore for its revival.