Hyderabad: Many environmentalists and green crusaders have urged voters to look around their surroundings and think wisely before exercising their franchise.
They lamented that issues concerning the environment have been relegated to the background by the authorities and no party has come up with a manifesto that speaks of saving the environment from further erosion.
They opined that voters should be sensitized about these issues and they should be made aware of parties and individual contestants who stand firm for the protection of nature.
Activist Varsha Bhargavi said “The government should be harsh against those destroying nature’s bounty. The government has failed to frame effective policies. For instance, we have an IT hub in Hyderabad but the government has failed to create recycling units for IT products. The government must educate the people about the adverse impact of packaged items and disposable materials.”
Jasveen Jairath, founding convener of ‘Save Our Urban Lakes’, says that the large-scale disappearance of lakes is a conspiracy hatched by politicians. The Malkam cheruvu issue is a case in point, said Jairath.
Saraswathi Kavula, who is fighting to save agricultural land being taken over for the Pharma City, said, “Land is being taken from farmers. The land that cultivates food is turned into a densely polluted space. The government should know the harm caused by the toxic waste that is released by these factories. They are as potentially destructive as chemical bombs.”
She added, “Farmers from Yacharam in Rangareddy district are coming forward in response to our pleas. We will cast votes to parties and individuals who will assure protection of the environment.”
Advocate and environmental activist Mamidi Venu Madhav, said, “When the new state was formed, the government promised to clean up Hussainsagar, which has not happened. Despite a High Court blanket ban, plaster of Paris idols were immersed in lakes because the enforcing agencies failed to stem the rot. We are appealing to the voters to back individuals who are genuinely concerned about the environment.”
Green issues
Environmentalists highlight several issues deserving of the politicians’ interest
Depletion of almost 3,000 natural water bodies
Hyderabad and its surroundings becoming concrete jungle
Ruthless felling of trees
Menace of the land mafia
Authorities remaining silent spectators
Absence of stringent policies
