Political parties are ignoring environmental issues
Environmental issues never become election issues. Why?
It is a sad reflection on the political insensitivity of India that even today, most vital issues of environment are not getting adequate attention. Air pollution has become a major cause for concern for the residents of Delhi. The incidence of bronchial diseases is increasing in the capital primarily due to the release of toxic fumes by automobiles. Moreover, water pollution has become acute all over the country. The insensitivity of the politicians in India does not pertain only to the environment but also to areas like illiteracy, population growth and child labour which receive marginal attention. Political parties are not only ignoring environmental issues in their election manifestos, but even ministries like health, education, family planning and environment are considered unimportant by the elected representatives. For example, ministers always prefer administrative portfolios. This is primarily due to the hangover of our colonial past where it is felt that authority lies in administration.
Some Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials allege that politicians prevent them from taking action against polluting industries. Comment.
I am sure this might be happening. Fortunately today, it is the Supreme Court that has become pro-active in environmental issues rather than the government. I think the courts are intervening simply because the administration has failed in its duty. For instance, when the government failed to take action against polluting automobiles, the Supreme Court intervened to set things right. It ruled that 15-year-old vehicles will not be allowed to ply on Delhi's roads.
There is a general feeling that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government has been able
I don't think that bjp has done anything in this regard. They have only set up a mechanism for the parties concerned to sit together and sort out the problem. But this process was first put in place during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure. The basic problem should not be seen only in the terms of the Cauvery dispute but also the increased utilisation and shortage of water. The issue of water distribution is very complex because of two reasons. First, water is viewed by various states as an asset rather than a resource. Secondly, we have not utilised our water resources in a scientific way. Till the time water is looked at as an asset or property, it is impossible for any government to solve these issues.
There is no dearth of laws in India. But why is their implementation weak?
The only answer to this is public consciousness, education and ngo s. You cannot achieve anything merely by enacting laws.