MARGAO: A coalition of over 70 leading environmental, youth, forest, and citizens’ groups from across the country, including Goa Foundation, Amche Mollem Citizen’s Group and Federation of Rainbow Warriors from Goa, have issued an urgent appeal to all voters, urging citizens to prioritise nature, democracy, and the future of the youth in the upcoming elections.
They have jointly called on the electorate to carefully evaluate each party’s stance and track record on environmental protection, climate action, and safeguarding India’s natural ecosystems.
They emphasised the critical need to address environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, and water scarcity, and
demand policy changes to protect ecosystems, community livelihoods, and democratic processes.
Key demands include reversing environmental law dilutions, protecting natural habitats, reviving water bodies, halting destructive projects, promoting sustainable construction practices, and improving waste management. They stress the importance of good governance, public participation, and media freedom in achieving sustainable development.
In their jointly released statement titled “Vote for Nature, Democracy and Future of Our Youth,” the groups highlight India’s alarming decline in various environmental indicators over recent years.
“When India is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of global warming and climate change, many crucial laws protecting India’s environment and natural ecosystems have been weakened in the last few years,” the statement reads, citing the dilution of acts like the Forest Conservation Act and Environment Impact Assessment norms.
The groups allege that India’s forests, rivers, mountains, and other ecosystems are increasingly being exploited for infrastructure projects, mining activities, and real estate development, often without proper environmental safeguards or community consent.
“Our forests, rivers, mountains and deserts in the Himalayas and Aravallis in the North, Hasdeo forest and others in Central and Eastern India, pristine rainforests in the Nicobar Islands, and the Western Ghats are being exploited for mega-infrastructure and dam projects, coal, stone and sand mining, and real estate,” the statement warns.
Adding to the environmental crisis, India is also grappling with a severe water scarcity issue, with 70% of its groundwater aquifers having dried up and an alarmingly low recharge rate of less than 10%.
“Real good governance enables public participation in policymaking, reduces corruption and skirting of regulations, supports public debate reinforced by a free press and encourages citizens to push their lawmakers for greater environmental protections,” the statement emphasises.
The groups argue that India’s rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions pose a grave threat to the future of the country’s youth and their fundamental rights to clean air, water, and a habitable planet.
The diverse coalition, ranges from national alliances like the National Alliance of People’s Movements, Climate Front India, Alliance for Rivers in India, Indian Social Action Forum, Fridays For Future, etc, to regional organisations like People for Aravallis, Youth for Himalaya, Aarey Conservation Group, Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, Jharkhand Kisan Parishad and UP Land Rights Forum, amongst many more.