Beyond Environment Day: Voices across India highlight everyday ecological justice struggles

By A Representative 

In the wake of Environment Day, a powerful collective of voices from across India came together under the banner of the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ)—a pan-Indian initiative of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)—to spotlight grassroots environmental struggles and the failures of governments to uphold ecological and constitutional justice.

Held on June 6, the online press conference saw participation from impacted communities and activists across states including Chhattisgarh, Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Sikkim, Telangana, Odisha, and more. Moderated by veteran environmentalist Soumya Dutta, the session echoed a common message: State and central governments are complicit in enabling environmental destruction for corporate gain, while repressing people’s movements.

Alok Shukla, speaking from the frontline of the 12-year-long Hasdeo struggle in Chhattisgarh, condemned the approval of 40 coal blocks in the region. “Over 4 lakh hectares of forest are set to be destroyed. This is not just environmental devastation—it’s a blatant violation of Constitutional rights and Adivasi Gram Sabha decisions,” he said, calling for national solidarity against Adani’s coal ventures.

From Kashmir, Naseer Dar spoke of the ecological stress caused by unchecked tourism. “Fishing and livestock-based livelihoods in regions like Wular are under threat. The erratic climate and rainfall patterns are further affecting local communities,” he warned.

Vishvaja, a Chennai-based activist, slammed the narrative of ‘clean’ energy through Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects. “In North Chennai, these projects deepen caste inequities, threaten wetlands, and pose serious health risks to the 10 lakh residents already burdened by over 40 polluting industries.”

Rajasthan and Haryana-based activists Kailash Meena and Neelam Ahluwalia decried illegal and legal mining destroying the 2-billion-year-old Aravalli range. “In districts like Charkhi Dadri, mining has decimated hills, poisoned water, and left people with respiratory and kidney illnesses,” said Meena. Ahluwalia highlighted the findings of a Citizens’ Report exposing blatant regulatory violations.

Rajkumar Sinha of Narmada Bachao Andolan criticized the cascading dam projects and proposed nuclear plants. “Fish populations are declining, affecting local livelihoods. Dams supposedly built for farmers are actually diverting water to industries, especially thermal power plants,” he said, calling for a basin-wide review.

Veteran activist Medha Patkar condemned the dilution of environmental and land laws. “Whether it’s sand mining, deforestation, or forced land acquisition, the state is aiding corporate loot. Workers in the informal sector, especially in construction, are facing the brunt of climate impacts,” she said.

From Sikkim, Malaymit Lepcha exposed the failings of the government in rehabilitating those affected by Teesta hydropower projects. “Why was the 2023 Sikkim flood not declared a national disaster? Why the rush to rebuild the Teesta III dam, despite known ecological hazards?” she asked.

Santosh Lalwani, activist from Pune, criticized riverfront projects, especially the Pune Riverfront Development, saying these obstruct natural river flows and ignore community-led urban ecological visions. He noted similar citizen-led oppositions in other cities.

Ravi Kanneganti from Telangana raised alarm over the Pharma City project threatening over 30,000 acres of land and demanded scrapping of a Navy radar station planned in Damagundam forest, approved without due consultations. He also warned against ethanol plants falsely promoted as clean biofuel solutions.

From Mumbai, Malaika flagged the dangers of the Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road Project, which threatens 51,000 mangroves. “This project endangers marine biodiversity and increases flood risks. It must be stopped,” she asserted.

Though Prafulla Samantara (Odisha) and Ebo Mili (Arunachal Pradesh) couldn’t speak due to connectivity issues, NACEJ expressed strong solidarity with Adivasi-led struggles against mining and hydroelectric projects in both states. The group also condemned Odisha government’s June 4 order banning 24 activists from entering Rayagada district, calling it a move to protect mining corporations.

In a strong concluding statement, NACEJ extended full solidarity with Palestine, condemning Israel’s genocide and the global complicity behind it. Citing climate activist Greta Thunberg, the alliance emphasized, “Genocide and ecocide are deeply intertwined. We must fight to end both.”

"This isn’t just about Environment Day," said NACEJ in a final statement. "These struggles are everyday realities for millions. The government’s greenwashing can’t hide its complicity in systemic ecological destruction.”