Lok Sabha polls: Campaign in UP to get environment-related issues included in parties’ manifesto
LUCKNOW: Organizations working for the cause of environment in Uttar Pradesh want political parties to include environment-related issues in their manifesto.
The clean air crisis has become severe in UP. A pair of artificial lungs which was installed at Lalbagh in Lucknow in January turned black within 24 hours.
World Health Oganisation (WHO) has placed 15 Indian cities in the list of 20 most polluted ones. Several credible reports claim that over 6.5 lakhs people die due to air pollution every year in India.
A UNICEF study has found that four infants die in UP every hour due to air pollution. On Tuesday, a People’s Manifesto on environment was launched by the Climate Agenda and 100% UP Campaign.
The manifesto has been prepared after a massive consultation with all 350+ partner organizations of 100% UP Campaign. “The campaign hopes that the candidates after being elected will address the serious environmental issues, provide significant space to these demands and will be committed towards saving the environment”, said lead campaigner Ekta Shekhar.
Implementation of a stronger and a legally binding National Clean Air Action Plan across the country in stead of limiting it to only 102 cities, clean energy based public transportation, implementation of emission standards as per law in all industrial units, preservation of natural resources are included in the manifesto.
The orgnizations have demanded that no permission should be issued for new thermal power plants (TPP) and existing TPPs should be phased out in next 15 years. All energy requirement of the country should be met through Solar and other forms of renewable energy sources. The manifesto said political parties should ensure that all municipal corporations should become zero waste institutions through sustainable and scientific waste disposal methods.
Cutting dependence on diesel-based transportation, encouraging electric vehicles and monitoring brick kilns were other demands included in the manifesto.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
