Battleground Uttarakhand: No forest cover in poll speak

DEHRADUN: For a state that still boasts 70% forest cover, though fast depleting, and critical issues of rampant forest fires, man-animal conflict and loss of habitat, the manifestos of both Congress and BJP are remarkably sparse in addressing environmental concerns.

The Congress's manifesto has no 'green' promises unlike the party's 2012 document, which talked resettling o f people in forest areas and a provision to double the number of van panchayats. BJP made perfunctory promises such as steps to conserve traditional water sources and giving preference to smaller hydropower projects.Environmentalists say the manifestos show how “politicians are not keen on environmental issues as they hamper so-called development activities, which form major poll promises“.

“The environment often gets sacrificed at the altar of the 'development agenda,' which is primarily to permit giant hydropower firms to build dams in the hills and mining mafia to exploit rivers in the plains,“ says Hemant Dhyani, of Ganga Ahwan, an NGO for rejuvenation of Ganga. The manifestos have disappointed hill villages.Rajni Nath, gram pradhan of Daang village in Uttarkashi, told TOI, “Congress promised last polls that 25% forest land would be transferred to gram sabhas, but it has not been done. Instead, most netas prioritised felling of trees in the name of 'development' and help timber and mining mafia.“ Environmentalist Anil Joshi lashed out at Congress and BJP for “using 'environment' to only seek funds in the form of green bonus.“

Joshi says, “None of the parties seems to have learnt from Himachal, which strengthened its strengthened its village economy by carrying out development on the foundation of environment.That's why we're losing natural resources and villagers are migrating to the plains.“ Both parties' state units deny these issues were overlooked: Congress says the focus is on rural development, hence environment; BJP says it talks about migration from the hills, that includes 'green' issues. CPI and CPM have pledged to work to save tea gardens in Dehradun, eyed by the state to build a smart city .