PRESS RELEASE

More than 1,000 trees to be cut. Close to 100 bird species and 400 plant species endangered. All this for a project that covers just about two kilometres and costs a whopping ₹1,140 crore. Residents and activists in Bengaluru have vehemently opposed the Karnataka government's Hebbal Short Tunnel project, launching a petition to halt construction immediately. Environmental activists and experts warn that the project threatens Bengaluru's cascading lake system and increases flooding risks. There is growing public concern that the tunnel will cut through one of North Bengaluru’s last major green-blue landscapes and cause lasting environmental damage. The petition, started…

The Citizen’s Charter for the Pallikaranai Watershed has called for watershed-based planning and immediate implementation of state policies to protect wetlands and waterways in one of Chennai's most flood-prone areas. The charter, compiled by the Oorvani Foundation and the Chennai Wetlands Action Collective (CWAC), was released on Wednesday by the Pallikaranai Collective, a coalition of civil society organisations, environmental groups, resident welfare associations, activists and conservation experts striving to protect the Pallikaranai watershed region. The report documents issues ranging from wetland degradation, encroachment by construction projects, sewage and solid waste pollution and blocked canals to poorly planned restoration works and…

Over 200 citizens, resident groups, environmental organisations and civil society groups have urged the Karnataka government to roll back its decision to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, which would allow portions of parks and gardens to be used for concrete-heavy infrastructure projects. Gathering at Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru, the groups showcased a banner saying: NOT 5%. NOT 1 INCH. LEAVE OUR PARKS ALONE. "Bengaluru is becoming hotter and more climate vulnerable, yet the Karnataka government is making it easier to take away one of the city’s most important forms of natural infrastructure. Parks help cool neighbourhoods,…

A collective of active citizens, non-governmental organisations, sustainable transport experts, and other stakeholders has called for strengthening the public transport network in Tamil Nadu's cities, making it accessible to all and creating low-emission zones across urban centres. The Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN), a coalition of over 30 civil society organisations across India, has released the 'Tamil Nadu Urban Mobility Charter 2031', a comprehensive roadmap urging political parties and governments to put sustainable mobility at the heart of the state’s development agenda. The Charter was shaped through a multi-stakeholder roundtable convened by ITDP India, Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG),…

A collective of various voluntary groups, civil society organisations, activists, educators and students has demanded urgent state-led action to uphold the right to shelter and dignity for persons living on the streets in Tamil Nadu. This campaign has been initiated by the Information and Resource Centre of the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC) and other NGOs in Chennai and across the State, to support homeless people, whose lives are jeopardised by the absence of a dedicated state programme. Here are the recommendations put forward as part of the campaign: State-wide recommendations Tamil Nadu must urgently evolve a state-specific scheme for persons…

22,January 2025, New Delhi: Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), along with City Sabha, Raahgiri Foundation, and Safetipin, announced the launch of the Delhi Sustainable Mobility Charter, or the Dilli Charter, under the Sustainable Mobility Network — a citizen-driven initiative to reimagine Delhi’s transport system and demand actionable solutions for improving urban mobility, combating air pollution, and fostering inclusivity. Delhi is home to over 33.8 million people—a bustling, historically rich and complex city. Lately, however, this home has increasingly become uninhabitable for many. From suffocating air pollution to rising heatwaves, crumbling transport systems, and unsafe public spaces, the very essence…

Bellandur Lake, Bengaluru’s largest water body, has been at the heart of an ambitious rejuvenation project since 2020. However, persistent delays, severe funding shortages, and inadequate planning have left citizens increasingly frustrated. Time is slipping away, and without immediate government intervention, this critical environmental project risks failing. A recent meeting with government bodies shed light on the project’s stagnation and the urgent steps required to salvage it. Progress so far Desilting Work: Of the estimated 32.33 lakh cubic meters of silt, 22.69 lakh cubic meters (70%) have been removed, leaving 30% unfinished Early monsoons and slushy conditions have delayed progress…

Maharashtra is at a critical juncture in its urban development. As cities expand and populations grow more diverse, the state's transportation infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Rising pollution, worsening congestion, and increasing social inequities have escalated from issues of inefficiency to a full-blown crisis. As the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections approach, these mobility challenges require urgent action. Also Read: Local and ethical candidates only, Govandi citizens tell political parties ahead of elections To address this, Parisar, Waatavaran, and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), with support from the Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN), have co-drafted the Maharashtra Urban Mobility Charter…

As the Northeast monsoon intensifies in Tamil Nadu, the fishing community in Ennore has asked the State government to clear blockages and encroachments along the Kosasthalaiyar River and Ennore backwaters. In an open letter addressed to K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Minister for Revenue, District Revenue Establishment, Deputy Collectors for Disaster Management and P Amudha, Principal Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the fishers point out that these blockages are affecting the health of the Ennore wetlands and could cause flooding in Chennai, if not cleared. While the services of the fishers and fishing boats are called upon every monsoon for flood rescue,…

Civil society organisations and concerned citizens have united to protest the construction of a new airport in Parandur, in the outskirts of Chennai. The Rs 30,000-crore project is slated to come up in more than 5,000 acres of land, according to the State government. A majority of this land is agricultural and also includes many waterbodies. According to civic and environmental activists, if the construction of the greenfield airport in Parandur goes ahead as per plan, it will have significant ecological and social repercussions — loss of natural habitats, potential flooding and a loss of livelihood for communities dependent on…