From Wayanad Tragedy To Modi's Green Vision: BJP Leader's Book Carries Warning And Hope
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BJP Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha and Dr Kaviraj Singh, founder of Earthhood, have released a book - Climate Action India - on the rapidly changing climate dynamics globally.
The Wayanad landslide, which claimed 254 lives, is still fresh in the nation's memory. On the other hand, research reveals that 50 per cent of India's lung cancer patients have never smoked, highlighting the significant role of air pollution. At such a time, BJP Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha and Dr Kaviraj Singh, founder and managing director of Earthhood, have released a book on the rapidly changing climate dynamics globally. Published by Blueone Ink, ' Climate Action India ' not only acknowledges past mistakes but also offers hope for a future that addresses air pollution, transitions smoothly to renewable energy, and sets ambitious goals like achieving Net Zero.
THE WAYANAD GHOST
The book opens with a quote from President Droupadi Murmu speaking passionately about global warming and uses Wayanad as its first example – a recent and impactful event. Despite the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ranking Wayanad 13th among 147 districts across the country in its Landslide Atlas of India in February 2023, little has been done in response. The authors highlight that in 2011, an extensive report by renowned Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil warned of deadly landslides due to unregulated environmental exploitation in Wayanad. This warning was ignored by the central government at the time, and the findings of the Gadgil panel were not made public, prioritising commercial activities over human lives.
The book gains credibility as Sinha did not selectively critique states based on political affiliations. Along with Singh, he objectively observed the situation. They mention that since 2014, the central government has issued six draft notifications to declare over 56,825.7 square kilometres of the Western Ghats as eco-sensitive zones. However, the final notification is still pending due to objections from the states. Both opposition-ruled states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, as well as BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa, are involved.
Sinha and Singh aim to break free from past mistakes and leap into the climate future, subtly positioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a key figure in shaping India's climate agenda since 2014. The book credits him with launching India's Panchamrit strategy, announced at COP26 Glasgow in 2021.
The strategy includes five promises: achieving 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, sourcing 50 per cent of energy from renewables, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, lowering emission intensity by 45 per cent, and reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070.
These commitments raised India's credibility as a climate-conscious nation.
The book details Modi's efforts to make India future-ready with strategic green missions, such as the National Hydrogen Mission announced in 2021 to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
It also discusses Modi's solar push and the international solar alliance, linking his leadership to domestic solar energy expansion and India's role in forming global coalitions for climate resilience, such as the Global Biofuel Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
'The book also explores the economics of renewable energy and suggests that incentives should be provided for corporations to invest in this sector, an area where the Modi government has made significant efforts," Sinha told News18.
LESS AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI THIS YEAR?
While the book serves as both a cautionary tale and a recognition of positive steps taken, air pollution remains a significant concern for those living in India, particularly in the North. The Ujwala Yojana has addressed individual household concerns, and the gradual transition to electric vehicles may yield long-term results. However, the average annual vehicular growth of 9 per cent in India over the last two decades has contributed to rising air pollution. Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh exacerbates the issue every autumn in Delhi NCR.
Sinha offers a positive prediction: 'This time, Delhi will see far less air pollution." He attributes this to a political shift in Delhi, where the BJP has replaced the Aam Aadmi Party. 'The technology to end stubble burning is available, but political non-cooperation between Punjab and Delhi governments hindered its implementation. Now, with the BJP in power in Delhi, I am confident they will invest in the necessary technology. Previously, the BJP at the Centre faced challenges as Delhi and Punjab were not willing to discuss solutions to stubble burning. With the BJP in Delhi, I believe they will ensure Punjab takes necessary actions to prevent air pollution from affecting neighboring states," Sinha told News18.
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tags :
climate change Wayanad
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 05, 2025, 09:39 IST
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