Green Activists Urge Politicians for Protection of Western Ghats & Water Resources in their Poll Manifestos
Mangaluru: As political parties gear up for the Lok Sabha elections in Dakshina Kannada, there is a growing call from activists to prioritise the protection of the Western Ghats and water resources in their election manifestos. Environmentalists are urging voters to reject parties that overlook these crucial issues, pointing to projects like Yettinahole as examples of harmful development practices.
Shashidhar Shetty, the General Secretary of, National Environment Care Federation (NECF), expressed disappointment over the delay in the release of manifestos by national parties like the BJP and Congress. Shetty urged political parties to prioritise nature conservation and ensure the protection of vital resources. The delay in manifesto release has drawn criticism, as traditionally manifestos were made public before candidate announcements. The focus remains on the need for political parties to address environmental concerns and commit to preserving the region’s natural heritage and water sources. Earlier, political parties were releasing manifestos before the announcement of their candidates and poll campaigns. However, no political parties have released their manifestos yet,” he added.
Sahyadri Sanchaya convener, Dinesh Holla, emphasised the pressing need to address the ongoing drought and water scarcity issues, stressing the importance of preserving nature and water resources to avoid future conflicts. Voters are encouraged to question candidates about their stance on these critical matters before casting their vote. Holla highlighted the detrimental impact of projects like Yettinahole on water sources and biodiversity, warning of a potential water crisis if immediate action is not taken to protect the environment.
Dinesh Holla
Holla also emphasised the necessity for political parties to commit to Simple Workflow safeguarding rivers and the Western Ghats in their manifestos.