Human well being is intricately linked with the well being of the environment.  Hence, man’s quest for improving his life quality through the interactive process with nature is an ongoing phenomena.  However, in his quest for economic development and enjoyment of the riches of nature, man has failed to recognize the limits imposed by ecological systems.  This has resulted in an ecological backlash.  What is need is a new concept of development that ensures that the relationship between human beings & nature is mutually supportive and sustainable from the long term point of view.
            The present Punjab is one of the smallest state of India with an area of 50362 sq km and is located between 29º & 32’ N latitude and 74º and 77’ E longitude.  Physiographically, it is situated in the North Western part of India between rivers Ghaggar and Ravi.  Its North Eastern part of India between rivers States of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and the South Eastern by Haryana and Rajasthan.  The western side is connected with Pakistan having more that 300 kms. long international border.  The state consists of 17 districts  and 4 Divisions Each  district.
            Has been divided into a number of tehsils and sub –tehsils .At present there are 72 tehsils in Punjab .Each tehsil has been further divided into blocks, there are 138 blocks in Punjab . Each block  comprises number of villages ,there are 12729 villages in Punjab according to 2001 census .
            The climate of Punjab is typically subtropical with hot summers (temperatures reaching as high as upto 47ºC in certain areas) and cold winters (with lowest temperatures around 0ºC).  Seventy per cent of the annual rainfall is received during monsoon months & a part of it is received during winters.   The annual rainfall is around 532 mm in plains and 890 mm in the northern sub-mountain regions characterized by the lower Shiwaliks.  The soil in the plains is mainly alluvium and suitable for cultivation.
            Since its reorganization, first in 1947 and subsequently in 1966, the state has been forced to use its natural resources intensively which resulted in tremendous progress especially at the food front.  However, this overuse has also adversely affected the ecological balance.  Advanced technology, both in the agricultural and the non-agricultural sectors, played a crucial role in raising per capita income, but at the same time, has also resulted in degradation of environment quality.  The population of the state has increased  23.9%,20.8% and 19.7% during the 70s, 80s and 90s with the number of migrant labour increasing every year.  About 84% of the state’s land is already under agriculture out of which 70% is sown more than once in any year.  Only 6.07%of the total area is under forests against the requirement of 33%.  We have also lost our pastures.  The total number of industries has also increased tremendously over the past 30 years from 4850 units in 1970 to 13382 registered units (medium & large) in 2000. There were 197340 small scale industrial units in 1999 as compare to 4338 small scale industrial units in 1980-81. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has identified 15547 polluting industries under the provision of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Out of these 9465 are Red Category Units ( 288 LSUs, 340 MSUs & 8837 SSUs ) and 6082  are Green Category Units ( 2775 SS Moderately Polluting & 3307 SS Marginally Polluting). These industries have caused serious air, water and land pollution problems in the state.
            Our natural ecosystems, rich in animal and plant life are facing problems of overexploitation and degradation.  The steep slopes of the Shivalik belt have limited vegetation and loose soils and are vulnerable to soil erosion, thus requiring continuous treatment through soil conservation and afforestation.  Our unique wetlands are facing problems of siltation & pollution.  Our major rivers are polluted.  The Doaba and Malwa plains of the state, often described as the potential bread basket of the country, are being damaged due to soil degradation.  Some of these areas are facing water logging or rising water table problems.  Continuous use of herbicides, pesticides and large volumes of fertilizers are affecting the ecological quality of soil as well.
            A large chunk of our meagre land is under support services like transportation or under urbanization.  Our land use pattern has completely changed resulting in loss of floral and faunal diversity.  Only limited varieties/species of plants and animals are being promoted over the diverse wild flora & fauna once abundant in the state.  At the same time, our life styles have become highly energy & resource intensive.  Hence, the state is facing a wide spectrum of environmental problems.
            The irony is that although the common man is hardest hit by deteriorating environmental quality yet he is unaware of the extent of the problem and potential solutions. 

The present website has, therefore, been launched with objectives to:

Objectives:

• Identify and highlighting the Punjab State Environmental problems with special  reference to Environmental issues and Agriculture

• Creation of database covering all aspects of Environmental problems of Punjab State with ultimate aim of preparing “State of Environment Report (SoER).”

• Monthly compilation of News items and events on environmental problems and their management.

• Identification of information/data gaps in the field of Environmental management and Agriculture.

• Establishing linkages with information users and providers from among Govt., academia, general public, NGOs etc.

• To respond to queries from Govt. and general public related to specified subject areas.

           The website will meet its objectives if it is able to generate serious thought and discussion about the environmental problems of Punjab so that scientific solutions are evolved and concerted action is taken to implement them jointly by the Government and the Public.