Rarely do matters of environment enter political campaigning. So, it comes as a breath of fresh air – pun intended – that the Congress party’s manifesto has a section devoted just to the environment. Calling air pollution a ‘public health emergency’, it also says it will increase forest cover from 21% to 25% by 2025, and will afforest ‘wastelands’. BJP’s manifesto says the party has expedited environmental clearances, and that it has increased forest cover. Congress meanwhile promises to amend laws governing forests.
Finally, citizens across cities – be it Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru – are rallying for saving trees and nature where they exist. In the face of civic plans for compensating removed trees (Delhi has just released a draft tree transplantation policy) citizens have been united in their demand for keeping trees standing where they are. This is an important view that privileges the very existence of nature as more important than an alternate scenario. It goes beyond compensatory forests on files.
If we are to progress as a civilisation, this is the view to be kept in mind. We need a manifesto for trees, not just for political parties. Because ultimately, we can’t hold our breath while counting our money.