As seen in the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections when a group of concerned citizens had raised environmental issues with the contesting candidates, a group of concerned youngsters has launched a green vote bank initiative in view of the Vidhan Sabha election 2017. Dehradun-based student activist group, Making A Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) has launched the offline and online campaign -- green vote bank to galvanise voters in the provisional capital of the Himalayan state to pledge to cast their vote considering the environmental policy, vision and roadmap proposed by the political parties and candidates in their respective constitutncies. Addressing the media at the Press Club here on Wednesday, founding member of the group, Abhijay Negi said, “ This campaign, aimed chiefly at first time voters, proceeds in line with MAD's constant outcry to revive the dying streams of Dehradun and a better sanitation level with a proper waste disposal system for the city. In more than five years of activism, we have realised that all that matters to politicians - and all considerations which go into policy making essentially step out of ‘vote-bank’ considerations. Unfortunately, vote banks have so far been created more for wrong reasons. Therefore in this electoral season, MAD's attempt is to galvanise the silent majority - which so far only read about the deteriorating condition of the eco sensitive Doon valley in the newspapers and has expressed momentary concern, only to be forgotten by the burden of their respective household chores. Our attempt is going to be to reach out to every right thinking Doonite and ask them to cast their vote in this election based on the environmental policy proposed by the candidate and political party of their choice. We will be requesting the citizens to rise above their ideological inclinations and general likings and vote on the basis of environmental policy. In this regard, MAD has set a target of reaching out to at least 10,000 such voters, asking them to pledge to be a part of the 'Green Vote Bank' which will decide its vote on the basis of the environmental conservation oriented vision proposed by the candidate. Making sustainable development a key plank of the Green Vote Bank, MAD members have decided to include the revival of Rispana and Bindal (by the implementation of National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee report) and a commitment not to deface city walls with posters as essential qualities in any candidate who seeks the support of Green Vote Bank - which in turn will pledge to cast its vote on how the candidate treats their key demands. MAD members shall also ask candidates and political parties to elaborate their vision regarding contemporary environmental challenges faced by Dehradun, in particular, and the state as a whole. MAD has planned to send its volunteers to different parts of the city and especially in colleges and other institutions to promote this campaign,” said Negi. He further said that active use of social media is key to MAD's strategy to popularise its call for the Green Vote Bank. Members of the group stated that they will reach out to all like- minded organisations and individuals to be a part of the Green Vote Bank whose sole agenda will be a commitment to the environment in the Vidhan Sabha election of 2017. “Only when public opinion is favorable can citizens expect environment conservations to weigh in government's decision making. This is what MAD's effort is all about,” added Negi. Other members of the group including coordinator Swati Singh, Karan Kapoor, Pallavi Bhatia, Adarsh Tripathi, Shiwang Panthri and Sharad Maheshwari were also present at the Press conference.