Karthi’s strong and sensible statement against central government EIA draft!

Actor Karthi who has been actively involved in agriculture had started an organization ‘Uzhavan Foundation’ and has been helping agriculture and farmers in many ways. Now, the actor registered his opposition to the Environmental Impact Assessment draft issued by the Central Government. 

The actor has released a detailed statement via Uzhavan Foundation: starting with a Thirukural which means Countries where resources are available without the necessity to search are the best countries and not the ones where people must search and find resources. In India, which is hailed as the best country with many resources, the existing environmental laws are not enough to protect our natural resources and livelihoods. The ‘Environmental Impact Assessment 2020’ (EIA 2020) draft by the Central Government poses further threat to the environment. With Mountains, rivers and various living beings being the source of our life, destroying trees and agricultural lands for building Highwas and destroying natural resources for setting up factories isn’t development.”

The statement further reads “Destroying natural resources questions the future of coming generations and a government elected by the people should not be allowed to do this. It has been mentioned in the draft that important projects can be done without consultation and approval from public which creates distrust and fear. Changes in the classification of factories and a reduction in the number of days for public opinion, releasing the draft for a whole nation in English and Hindi alone, aren’t right as everyone must know the draft. While we are struggling to cope with the Coronavirus why should this law be passed so urgently? Let us take this last opportunity to take the pros and cons of this draft to the attention of the people and take it to the notice of the Government through a public debate. Let us post our opinions before August 11, 2020 to the mail id eia2020-moefcc@gov.in. As one among the public, I urge scholars and researchers to evaluate the views and sentiments of the people and bring the necessary changes in the new draft.”