A recent video dealing with the impending global water crisis projected Bangalore as the first Indian city that is likely to run out of water in the next few years. Cape Town in South Africa is already facing drought. Other Indian cities are in line. The Climate Change meeting in Poland in 2018 discussed a distressing issue that points to the possible extinction of human race by 2050. These critical ecological issues facing the planet earth in general, and glaring at the country in particular, have rarely been considered in the corridors of power. And since the nation is presently under the grip of election fever, perilous issues afflicting the welfare of Indian population should have been listed on priority; but sadly, ecological and environmental issues such as conservation of natural ecosystems and restoration of degraded landscapes are missing.

The BJP guarantees support for protecting cultural/linguistic heritage, conserving sites of ecological/historical importance, and promoting our civilizational ideas. To exploit coastal potential fully, BJP has launched the Sagarmala programme for integrated development of coastal areas, coastal cities, coastal transport and coastal industrialisation; focus on development of inland waterways; proposal for a new Science Mission for development of technologies; a National Research Foundation in partnership with States; under Swachh Bharat mission will get latest technologies to transform waste to energy and wealth. BJP proposes to explore the diversity of our oceans, have a human crewed submersible going to the deepest oceans that will facilitate sustainable use of resources; commitment to cleaner practices to make a greener country; map the level of pollution in cities and rivers.

The National Clean Air Plan will focus on 102 most polluted cities in the country; reduce the level of pollution in each of the mission cities by at least 35%; protect and promote the interest of forest dwellers. Island/coastal areas will be developed while being sensitive to conserving their ecological uniqueness; places of cultural importance will be developed.

The INC has pledged to launch two major programmes to be implemented through gram sabhas and urban local bodies: (a) Repair and restoration of water bodies (Water Bodies Restoration Mission); and (b) Regeneration and afforestation of wasteland and degraded land. INC assures a policy on clean energy, promote green energy, formulate a policy on urbanisation, and build new towns and cities. The party proposes development of scientific temper, plans to increase expenditure on science and technology, promises to recruit more scientists, strengthen science departments, encourage research publications, strengthen patent laws, and set up a National Data Science Institute. Also proposes to address the challenges of water and sanitation; universal access to potable drinking water. The National Drinking Water Mission will be strengthened; plans a Ministry of Water; focusing on storage in dams and water bodies, replenishing ground water; cleaning of rivers; treatment and safe disposal of sewage. INC admits that India’s environment has deteriorated; promises action against global warming; will constitute an Environment Protection Authority (EPA), formulate a comprehensive land and water use policy, include  measures for the conservation of ecosystems, bio-diversity and wildlife; stop discharge of effluents into the rivers; clean all the rivers of India.

Congress promises to protect the coastal zones by reversing CRZ 2019; coasts will be preserved without affecting the livelihood opportunities of fishing communities; stop illegal mining of sand in rivers; make local communities the custodians of forests; involve local communities in afforestation projects to preserve wildlife habitats. Congress promises to re-visit the National Disaster Management Act, 2005; review the working of the National Disaster Management Authority; and develop a modern Climate Information System.

In Goa, impact of CRZ 2019 and resumption of mining are being highlighted, but the fate of tidal rivers is misplaced. One local party lists environment, ecology, forests and wildlife protection among major issues. It outlines the following: fishing ban during fish breeding season; all internal rivers and tributaries shall be rendered erosion free through securing the banks with tetra-pod barricades; beach shack policy shall be reviewed and strictly implemented.

A manifesto by another (national) smaller party says: “khazans (coastal agricultural land tracts) will remain khazans, forests will remain forests and farms will remain farms, and protect the State's rivers by heavily penalising polluters”. Interestingly, a manifesto from a constituency in Salcete has a full paragraph dedicated to coastal environment alone.  Such an effort by a young political party is highly laudable.

In brief, a rapid analysis of manifestos of two national parties indicates that the INC schemes are expressively greener than those of the BJP. The INC has indeed highlighted the imperative need to conserve water bodies and rejuvenate wastelands; creating an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) would be ideal. 

Since global warming is real, biodiversity is therefore fundamental to the existence of civilizations. Forestation is one of the most important mechanisms to fulfill climate neutrality. Our rulers appear blind to the fact that developmental needs or political compulsions cannot supersede, but need to essentially integrate, principles of ecology and concerns for the environment.

(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former Scientist, NIO, Goa)