In India, environmental issues often receive little attention in electoral politics. In recent Haryana state elections, critical problems such as stubble burning, groundwater salinity, sand mining, degradation of the Aravalli hills, and urban flooding were sidelined. As elections approach in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, where pressing issues around water, forests, land, and droughts exist, political parties are unlikely to prioritize these. While air pollution and the Yamuna River’s condition occasionally surface in Delhi elections, past results indicate these concerns don’t push voters toward alternative choices. This raises the question: do people truly disregard these issues, or are they deprived of meaningful choices?
Vote-Bank Politics and Environmental Neglect
In India, politics driven by vote-banks seldom prioritize environmental concerns. Voters are more focused on immediate needs—employment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Environmental challenges like pollution, water scarcity, drought, and deforestation demand structural policy changes, often yielding results only over time. Election strategies, however, favor quick fixes and popular moves that resonate immediately with voters. For instance, despite Haryana’s severe stubble burning crisis, no party adopts a serious stance on it; instead, they pass the blame onto others.
Lack of Political Will for Environmental Solutions
Political parties lack substantial policies for resolving environmental issues. Even if urban flooding or air pollution are significant voter concerns, voters struggle to find any party offering concrete solutions. Consequently, no matter which party they choose, the problems persist. This lack of clear environmental policy among political parties leaves voters feeling helpless. Often, parties fail to address these issues even when in power, despite their promises to resolve them if given the chance. In the last few decades, it’s rare to find examples of state governments successfully cleaning up their rivers or tackling long-standing environmental issues.
Superficial Politics and Populism
Government responses to environmental problems are often superficial, like deploying water trains, building embankments, or installing smog towers to address air pollution. These measures address symptoms rather than the root causes, falling short of the sustainable, long-term policies needed to tackle the climate crisis. While measures like water conservation, land restoration, forest preservation, and climate-resilient agricultural policies are vital, parties focus instead on short-term gains, neglecting meaningful solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
Public Apathy and Limited Choices
Another major reason is public apathy toward environmental issues. When people see no clear alternatives for tackling these issues, they disengage. This becomes more pronounced when they believe that no matter which party they vote for, the deep-seated problems will remain unsolved. Compounding this is the lack of environmentally focused parties. In many Western countries, green parties are gaining traction, not only presenting actionable environmental agendas but also delivering visible results. India lacks similar parties that could make environmental issues their core platform, pushing for viable long-term solutions.
Absence of Value-Based Politics
The erosion of values in Indian politics contributes to the neglect of environmental issues. In any society, values stemming from religion, culture, economy, and politics are foundational. But as the race for power takes precedence over principles, issues of long-term significance—like environmental challenges—are left out of the electoral debate. Practicality outweighs principles, and voters often reject leaders who refuse to compromise on core values, deeming them impractical. Consequently, parties that raise popular and immediate issues succeed, while environmental problems are sidelined due to their need for enduring commitment and policies.
The Empty Promises of Making Cities like London and Paris
In recent years, a trend has emerged in Indian politics where promises to transform cities into “London” or “Paris” are made. However, it’s essential to recognize that these cities developed during the era of colonialism and industrial revolution, with abundant resources and exploitative practices. India’s geography, demographics, economy, and social structure differ greatly. The aspiration to recreate such cities cannot succeed without adopting comprehensive policies for pollution and water management and modern urban planning. Unfortunately, these promises often lack substance and remain mere tools for impressing voters.
Raising Public Awareness on Environmental Issues
Resolving environmental challenges is not solely the responsibility of political parties; public participation is crucial. While many Indian voters are attuned to their immediate needs, awareness of environmental issues remains relatively low. Raising public awareness and education about these challenges is essential, so people demand solid policies on these matters. Public awareness campaigns should convey environmental issues and their impacts in accessible and compelling ways. Government, educational institutions, and social organizations play a pivotal role in this.
Shifting the Public Dialogue
It’s time to reshape India’s electoral discourse to prioritize long-term interests over immediate gains and make environmental issues part of the election agenda. In a democracy, the public’s role is crucial, and if people start demanding genuine conversations on environmental issues, political parties will be compelled to act. Ultimately, addressing environmental concerns requires commitment from both political parties and citizens. Without a dedicated, long-term environmental policy, these issues will remain unresolved.