Greenpeace India submits manifesto recommendations to political parties ahead of Karnataka polls

Greenpeace India Campaigner Amruta S N said, “Building more flyovers, roads and elevated corridors means we are encouraging more private vehicles, completely ignoring that the masses travel in buses and NMT (non-motorised transport). The more exclusionary we become, the less sustainable and liveable our cities are. We need to focus on getting more buses, bus lanes, cycle infrastructure and disincentivise private transport without further delay. Our city is at stake here.”

Greenpeace India also recommended the parties to build more resilient food systems in the face of the climate crisis that is altering India’s weather patterns. In order to encourage growing of the climate-resilient millets, the NGO demanded that the entitlement for millet farmers be increased from the existing Rs 10,000 per hectare to Rs 25,000 per hectare.

Rohin Kumar, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India, said, “India faces critical challenges to social security, particularly food and nutritional security due to the climate crisis. The changing weather patterns and its implications on farming and food means we should build food systems that not only mitigate the climate crisis but also help build resilience of the communities to adapt better.”

Kumar added, “It is in this context that millets could be a game changer for Karnataka. Climate resilient and nutritious millets have culturally been part of food habits in the state, given a good policy and infrastructure push such as inclusion of millets in mid day meals and public distribution system, supporting self help groups with millet processing units, procurement at minimum support price and ensuring market for millets will add to the dietary diversity. Hence, we urge the political parties to adopt the recommendations and the new government implements it on a war footing.”

Ajay Nandakumar of From the Council For Active Mobility (a citizen’s collective), said, “The city infrastructure and quality of life is under severe pressure from uncontrolled growth and usage of private motor vehicles. Investment in alternative forms of mobility has not kept pace with the investments in motor vehicles. This lopsided priority needs to be corrected by political agenda setting that steers and sets a balanced transport vision for Bengaluru. We firmly believe that the increased prioritised allocation of money and policies towards bus, cycling and walking needs to be a commitment in every party’s manifesto to govern Bengaluru.”