While reading the manifestos of two major parties, “Congress will Deliver” of the Indian National Congress (INC) and “Sankalp Patra” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), I focused on my core interests: environment, climate change, rivers, and issues of jal–jungle–jameen (water, forests and land). In the BJP manifesto, I did not find a section on climate change, but was amazed to spot the word climate in the energy section. On page 22, it says, “India has become a global champion in addressing the issues of climate change through effective and feasible interventions.” However, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, 2019, published by Germanwatch, India is the 14th most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change.

…

The BJP manifesto further claims that “We have ensured speed and effectiveness in issuing forest and environmental clearances.” The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has weakened laws, failed to ensure open consultations and public hearings, and made it simpler for private companies to abuse the nation’s natural resources, including forests, wildlife, aquatic life, mountains, and rivers. This, despite the fact that India has become the world’s second-most polluted country, according to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

Continue Reading at Economic & Political Weekly