NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal releases environmental election manifesto

Environmental organisation, Poovulagin Nanbargal, has released a list of 10 demands to political parties in the State in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Among their key demands are formulating policies for climate-vulnerable communities, climate-resilient agricultural policies, setting up a statutory body to mitigate climate change impacts, a comprehensive transport public policy focused on ensuring accessibility and reducing carbon emissions and reassessing mineral resources in the State, which the organisation claimed were being over-exploited.

Adopting Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) to measure development instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and setting up of block-level weather forecasting systems in all districts were other demands.

They also called for presentation of awards to individuals and organisations working towards strengthening self-reliant rural communities in the name of renowned economist, J.C. Kumarappa, and establishing a research centre in memory of late ecologist Madhav Gadgil to protect the Western Ghats.

“We call on all political parties to release manifestos and promises, which include policies and programmes related to climate change, environmental protection, and the conservation of natural resources,” said the organisation in their statement.

They said that appeals are made during each parliamentary and legislative assembly elections in consultation with other organisations, movements, scientists and activists in the form of an “Environmental Election Manifesto.”

“Among Tamil Nadu’s voters, especially youth, concern for environmental protection and awareness about climate change are steadily increasing. We strongly urge political parties to recognise this sentiment and give greater importance to environmental protection in their election manifestos. We will be meeting all political parties in person to submit this report,” the NGO said.