Mangaluru: Greens, led by Sahyadri Sanchaya and the National Environment Care Federation (NECF), have decided to start a campaign to oppose the stand of political parties with regards to environmental issues, pertaining to coastal districts and the Western Ghats.

To oppose illegal sand mining, the felling of trees, construction activities on Western Ghats, encroachment of forest land, forest fires, implementation of the Yettinahole project and hunting of endangered animal species, the greens will campaign during the upcoming assembly elections, requesting voters to choose the NOTA (None Of The Above) option.

Sahyadri Sanchya coordinator Dinesh Holla told reporters that the campaign is expected to draw the attention of political parties, towards burning issues related to the environment in coastal districts and the Western Ghats. He said another novel campaign will be launched to boycott political parties that do not show interest in protecting the Nethravati river.

“All the major political parties in the state are not concerned about the protection of the Nethravati river. We will request people to hang placards on the gates of their houses, requesting the Congress, BJP and JD(S) leaders not to visit their houses during the assembly election, if they are not keen on protecting the Nethravati river,” Holla said.

“Though forest fires are normally seen during the peak summer in March, the Western Ghats has been witnessing a disaster since December itself,” he said.
“Thousands of acres of forest land have been encroached upon in the Western Ghats. Hunting of bison is rampant here. However, officials are tight-lipped on the issue due to political intervention,” Holla alleged.

“Forest land has been encroached upon in Dodderibetta, Ramanabetta, Soppinagudda, Barimale, Banjarumale, Ambattilame, Devaramane, Balooru, Venkatagiri, Aramanegudda and other places in the Western Ghats,” he said.

“Greens are also searching for suitable candidates to contest the assembly elections,” he said. He added, “We will campaign for voters to choose the NOTA option in constituencies where we do not field candidates.”