Kozhikode: A convention of leading environmental organisations in the Malabar region on Friday called for the formation of a green political front that could take up environmental issues seriously and effectively fight off projects that harmed natural resources.
The meet, opened by actor and green campaigner Sreenivasan, also stressed the need to keep minor differences of opinion among organisations at bay and called upon them to line up on an organised platform to uphold green politics.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sreenivasan said politics in Kerala was going through an unusual period where the democratic way of electing governments was proving to be a Hobson’s choice. Observing that voters in the State had very limited choice, he said they were destined to be contented with either a ‘pangolin’ or a ‘palm civet’ at the end of elections.
Highlighting the rising number of polluting industries on the banks of the Periyar and the harm that they caused to the environment, the senior actor said that no government mechanism could fight the threat as the agenda of those who assumed power by hijacking the democratic system was to maintain it with the support of some imprudent followers. “A change in the system will be possible only through the transition of power to supporters of green politics,” he said.
Environmentalist T. Shobheendran, who came down heavily on the pro-industrial approach of politicians, said the authorities were not prepared to declare conservation of nature as their prime development agenda. “Even the electorate is finding it hard to question such a system. Moreover, activists are giving up their fight midway after some placard protests and campaigns,” he observed.
Gandhian and freedom fighter Thayat Balan said politicians and administrators, who were bound to address environmental concerns, were acting in a childish manner with no proactive move. “The only relief is the entry of committed persons like Sreenivasan who really want to see a change in the existing scenario,” he added.
Freedom fighter and activist P. Vasu said the deterioration of the rich Western Ghats region was the best instance to expose the apathy towards environmental issues. “It [Western Ghats] is a rich source of rare medicinal plants and soon it will be a thing of the past with rampant quarrying and mining activities,” he pointed out.
