No Takers For Conservation

The saga of political parties and their step-motherly treatment to the environment and wildlife in Assam

- Nabarun Guha

The ongoing Lok Sabha election is being termed as one of the most interesting in the history of post-Independence India. The result of this election will decide which path the country takes in the coming years. Assam, being the largest Northeastern state, also has a very important role in deciding the fate of the polls. The election took place in three phases in the State, and political parties campaigned for over a month. However, unfortunately, almost none of the political parties and candidates initiated any debate on one of the most burning subjects in the State— environment. Issues related to the environment and wildlife just got a passing mention in their election manifestos.

Environment Takes a Back Seat

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which formed the government at the Centre in 2014 and also swept the polls in Assam in 2016, don’t have much to say on environment-related problems of Assam. In their manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, BJP has a section called ‘Forest and Environment’ that merely mentions giving speedy environment clearance for eligible projects, converting National Clean Air Plan into a mission and reducing pollution in 102 cities by at least 35%, and providing basic amenities to forest dwellers. Their primary opposition in this election, Congress, on the other hand has given some importance to the environment sector in their manifesto. In the section called ‘North Eastern States’, it has been mentioned that if their party comes to power, they will leverage the rich bio-diversity and natural resources of the Northeastern states to generate livelihood opportunities.