Press Releases

[expand title = “On Environmental Jurisprudence” tag =”h3″]

• 2017: MHA Report Links Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti Of Dongria Kondh Adivasis With ‘Maoists’, click here.
• 2015: Comment/Criticism Of The Draft Environmental Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015, Circulated By The Indian Environment Ministry For Public Comments, click here.
• 2014: Access The Complete Report Of The High Level Committee Of Ministry Of Environment And Forests And Climate Change To Fundamentally Review Various Environmental Laws Of India, click here.
• 2009: Prime Minister asked to stop unconstitutional amendment to EIA Notification extending sops to industry during elections – Campaign for Environmental Justice – India, click here.
• National Campaign for Environmental Justice in India (CEJI), click here.
• National Environment Policy Critique, click here.

• Coastal Zone Management and Regulations
  • 2009
    • Indian Environment and Forest Ministry to consult fishing communities before changing coastal regulations, click here.
    • Fishworkers Delegation Scores CMZ Victory – National Fishworkers’ Forum, click here.

• The Dandeli EIA Fraud
  • 2006
    • Forest Clearance for Dandeli Dam rejected once again by GOI, click here.
    • Governor demands explanation why Karnataka wants Centre to review rejection of forest clearance to Dandeli Dam, click here.
  • 2003: Dandeli Dam cancelled says Karnataka Industries Minister Deshpande, click here.
  • 2000
    • Ernst & Young Plagiarises EIA to push environmental clearance for Dandeli Dam Project, click here.
    • Despite Ernst & Young Plagiarised EIA on Dandeli Dam, Government not overruling Public Hearing held, click here.
    • TERI produces EIA for Dandeli Dam Project in no time” – Efforts on to rush environmental clearance for MPC project, click here.
    • Dandeli Dam Public Hearing Postponed – 2nd Fraudulent EIA – Government must Reject MPC Project, click here.

[expand title = “On Environment and Social Justice” tag =”h3″]

• 2018
  • Peoples Movements, Networks, Academicians, Researchers And Civil Society Organisations Reject The Draft National Forest Policy 2018, click here.
  • Following Protest, Karnataka Forest Department Cancels Workshop To Evolve Its Vision Document-2030 In Collaboration With KPMG, click here.
• 2008
  • Chamalapura Power Plant likely to be dropped, click here. (Kannada)
  • No water in Kabini for Chamalapura Coal Fired Power Plant, click here.
• 2007: Demand to postpone the environmental public hearing on the proposed Mangalore SEZ in compliance with the EIA notification – Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi – Bajpe, click here.
• 2005: People Rally to Save Handigondi Rocks, click here.
• 2004: KERC orders BESCOM to compensate ESG for power surge damages, Landmark ruling supports full claim, click here.
• 1999: Citizens’ Symbolic Protest to Save Arkavathy Save Bangalore, click here.

• Hasiru Usiru: A network of organisations and individuals concerned about conservation of public commons, open spaces and greenery in Bengaluru.
  • 2010
    • Enthusiastic Response to State Wide protests against Regressive Amendment to the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act – Forest Department Unlikely to proceed with the amendment, click here. 
    • Stop Regressive Amendments to the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act – State wide protest on Friday, 21 May 2010, 4-5 pm, click here.
  • 2009
    • Stop Work and Review Bangalore Metro Design and Safety Aspects, click here.
    • BBMP Administrator, Commissioner and Tree Officer (Bangalore North) make mockery of High Court directions and the Public – Tree Officer approves tree felling at CNR Rao circle within 48 hours of public notice, click here.
    • Constitutional Anarchy supports Metro Implementation, click here.
    • An Update on the PIL against the alignment of Bangalore Metro through Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao boulevard, click here. 
    • Hundreds gather to protest Metro through Lakshman Rao boulevard and Lalbagh, click here. 
    • Karnataka High Court stays tree felling in Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao boulevard for Bangalore Metro, click here. 
    • Police Offer Protection to Bangalore Metro’s encroachment of Lalbagh, click here. 
    • No tree felling in Lalbagh till Metro proves its activities are legal, click here.
    • Bangalore Metro being built by Bonded Children, click here.
    • Stop, Consult, Redesign “Nimma Metro”, click here. 
    • If Metro Cannot go Zig-Zag, then stop implementing the Zig-Zag alignment through Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao Parks, click here. 
    • Is the BBMP Commissioner above the law? GKVK Agricultural Campus at risk of destruction merely for a road, click here.
    • High Court directs Bangalore Road Widening to strictly comply with Town and Country Planning Act, click here. 
    • Karnataka High Court directs BBMP to widen roads in strict accordance with Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, click here.
  • 2008
    • Lok Adalat asks Empowered Committee to open its doors to All, click here.
    • The Walk to Reclaim Bengaluru, click here.
    • Namma Raste Mobilisation Release, click here.
    • Hopes Dashed as High Court Appointed Committee to review Road Widening turns people-unfriendly, click here.
    • High Court of Karnataka constitutes a Committee to review Road Widening Schemes of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, click here.
    • Karnataka High Court admits PIL against Road Widening Projects in Bangalore, click here.
  • 2005
    • BMP Commissioner withdraws tree felling order following citizen protests late into Tuesday, click here.
    • Put an end to the Chop! Chop! Chop! More than 70 healthy trees illegally felled by BMP, click here. 

• Kudremukh
  • 2000
    • Friends of the Earth and Environment Support Group Appeal to Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Yoshiro Mori not to allow imports of iron ore into Japan from Kudremukh National Park, click here.
    • EIA – International Tiger Campaigner joins Campaign to Ban Mining in Kudremukh National Park, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On International Finance” tag =”h3″]

• 2018: People’s Convention Vows To Challenge Undemocratic & Destructive Global Finance, click here.
• 2014: International Call Demanding World Bank Withdraw Its New Environmental And Social Framework, click here.
• 2013: World Bank’s Sham ‘consultation’ To Review Its Environmental And Social Safeguards Shut Down In Bangalore, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Urban Planning” tag =”h3″]

• 2017: How To Understand And Comment On The Revised Draft Masterplan (RMP) 2031 For Bengaluru, click here.
• 2014: Bangalore Development Authority Postpones Public Hearing Following Call for Action to Tell The Authority it is Unconstitutional for them to Plan Our City, click here.

• Issues with Bangalore Metro
  • 2022: All Saints Church – Sacred Living heritage of Bengaluru – Saved for posterity, click here.
  • 2019: Appeal to shift Bangalore Metro’s Vellara Station to save All Saints Church & protect Fundamental Right to Pray, click here.
  • 2015: Bangalore Metro’s Efforts To Secure Ritual Clearance For Felling 300 Trees Fails: Legally Infirm Public Hearing Called By BBMP Tree Officer Cancelled, click here.

• Tree felling
  • 2017
    • BBMP Proposals For Mass Felling Of Trees Illegal, In Contempt Of Court, click here.
    • Karnataka Government Must Freeze Mass Tree Felling Till Necessary Public Review Safeguards Are In Place, click here.
  • 2016: Public Hearing To Review Proposed Tree Felling For Phase II Of Bangalore Metro, Cancelled For The Third Time, click here.
  • 2014: An Urgent Appeal To Help Verify Claims Of BBMP About Tree Planting In Bangalore City, click here.

• Mangalore Airport Expansion: Resistance of the Bajpe community
  • 2010: Mangalore Air Crash Tragic Fallout of Criminal Negligence of Planning and Regulatory Authorities, click here.
  • 2003: Mangalore Airport Expansion to proceed only if Legal, click here.
  • 2001: Government prepares to evict people to accommodate Mangalore Airport Expansion without complying with International Standards and obtaining Statutory Clearances, click here.
  • 1999: Bajpe residents resist survey of Land for expansion of Mangalore Airport MLA Ramnath Rai leads delegation to lodge protest with Commissioner, click here.
  • 1998
    • Brutal eviction awaits 208 families as Asst. Commissioner tampers land records transferring ownership to Airport Authority of India – Revenue Minister not aware: Promises to study the matter, click here.
    • Over 300 Land Records tampered overnight by Land Acquisition Officer to Rush through expansion of Bajpe Airport- Press Invitation, click here.
    • Clarification regarding the press released, click here.
    • High Court admits PIL against the New Mangalore Airport, click here.
    • High Court Stays Proposed New Mangalore Airport, click here.

• Save Cubbon Park
  • 1999
    • Governor calls for people’s action to protect Cubbon Park, click here.
    • Citizens renew Cubbon Park Protest: Seek Governor’s intervention in calling a Public Hearing, click here.
    • Save Cubbon Park Campaign Continues – Press Invitation, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Lakes & other Water Commons” tag =”h3″]

• 2022
  • Manipur High Court reaffirms stay on all developments in and around Loktak Lake in Manipur, click here.
  • Chitradurga Lakes Protection Workshop, click here.
• 2016: Wetland Rules 2016 Promote Undemocratic Conservation And Management Of Wetland Ecosystems, click here.
• 2013: Karnataka High Court Issues Contempt Notice On Karnataka Chief Secretary For Not Constituting Lake Protection Committees As Directed, click here.
• 2011: ESG’s PIL protects Lakes of Bangalore, click here.
• 2009: High Court of Karnataka takes up cases against privatisation of lakes for final hearing, click here.
• 2008
  • Note on High Court Interim Order restraining lake privatisation, click here.
  • Fantastic Response to Human Chain against Privatisation of Lakes, click here.
  • Formation of Human Chain at Agara Lake, on 22nd June 2008 as a symbolic protest against the ongoing Privatization of Lakes in Bangalore, click here.
  • High Court of Karnataka insists Forest Department must file report in one week, click here.
  • Karnataka High Court directs Forest Department to file report on Lake Privatisation, click here.
  • Karnataka High Court admits PIL against Privatisation of Lakes Issues Emergent Notice to Respondents, click here.
• 2007: Statement of Concern and Protest against Privatisation of Lakes/Tanks in Bangalore, click here.
• 2004: Celebrating Cauvery, click here.

• Kali Bachao Andolan
  • 2007: Widespread Environmental and Social Concerns Brushed Aside during Environmental Public Hearing on massive expansion plans of West Coast Paper Mills, Dandeli, Karnataka. click here.
  • 2003
    • Dandeli Dam Proposal Abandoned: says Karnataka Industries Minister Deshpande, click here.
    • Epidemic Outbreak of Gastroenteritis and Death due to Pollution of Kali River by West Coast Paper Mills, click here.
    • Protests in Bangalore on World Environment Day to save what little is left of the Kali River, click here. 

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Solid Waste Management” tag =”h3″]

• 2018: National Green Tribunal Puts Karnataka Govt. On Notice For Planning To Release 1152 Crores Plastic Labels Into The Environment, click here.
• 2017
  • Karnataka High Court Directs Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike To Set Up Ward Committees Within One Month, click here.
  • Historic Direction By Karnataka High Court To BBMP To Ensure Ward Committees Prepare Ward Level Solid Waste Management Plan, click here.
• 2015
  • Massive Violations Of Karnataka High Court Directives Makes A Mess Of Mavallipura, Again, click here.
  • MoEF&CC Forced To “Call Off” Its Illegal And Unconstitutional National Public Consultation On Waste Management Rules, 2015 In Bangalore, click here.
• 2013
  • Karnataka High Court Orders Status Quo On Ministry Of Environment And Forests’ Proposal To Amend Municipal Solid Waste (Management And Handling) Rules, click here.
  • Ministry Of Environment And Forests Withdraws Controversial Proposal To Modify Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, click here.
• 2010: Bangalore’s garbage killing people in Mavallipura – Villagers refuse to cremate young victim’s body, click here.
• 2009
  • Ramky Landfill at Mavallipura must be phased out, click here. 
  • Press briefing: Why phase out Ramky Landfill at Mavallipura, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Challakere/Amrit Mahal Kavals” tag =”h3″]

• 2018: DRDO Drone Crash In Challakere Highlights Risks Latent To The “science City” In Chitradurga, Karnataka, click here.
• 2015: Central Information Commission Directs MoEF & Karnataka Government To Make Public Information On Military-industrial-nuclear Complex Proposed At Challakere, Chitradurga Dt., Karnataka, click here.
• 2014
  • National Green Tribunal Halts All Construction Activity In Challakere Amrut Mahal Kavals, click here.
  • DRDO, BARC, IISC, ISRO, Sagitaur, Etc. Violate National Green Tribunal Orders To Comply With Environmental And Human Rights Standards, click here.
  • Challakere Villagers Overcome BARC Lies To Reclaim Amrit Mahal Kavals, click here.
• 2013
  • National Green Tribunal Constitutes Fact Finding Committee Based On ESG’s Petitions, click here.
  • National Green Tribunal Appointed Fact Finding Committee Visits Amruth Mahal Kavals In Challakere And Meet People In Villages, click here.
  • National Green Tribunal Orders Status Quo On Activities Of DRDO, BARC, ISRO, IISc, Et. Al., In Challakere, Chitradurga District, Karnataka, click here.
  • Thousands Urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Save Ahinda Communities Of Challakere By Giving Back The Amrit Mahal Kavals To The People, click here.
  • Comply With Directions Or Pay Penalty, Ministry Of Environment And Forests Told By National Green Tribunal (Southern Bench), click here.
  • Ministry Of Environment and Forests Says Challakere Grasslands A “potential Habitat of Great Indian Bustard”, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Biopiracy” tag =”h3″]

• 2022: Supreme Court restores PIL highlighting regulatory failures causing biopiracy and biodiversity losses, click here.
• 2013
  • Transferring Prosecuting Officers Exposes Indian And Karnataka Governments Weak Intent To Tackle Biopiracy By Mahyco/Monsanto And Others, click here.
  • Criminal Proceedings Against Monsanto/Mahyco and Others, Back On Track, click here.
  • Bangloreans Join Hands with The Global Movement Against Monsanto And For Safe Food, click here.
• 2012
  • Watch Al Jazeera’s The Stream Special On ESG’s Biopiracy Case Against Monsanto And Its Implications For Agriculture And Food Security, click here.
  • Karnataka Must Not Capitulate. Prosecute Monsanto/Mahyco And Ors. For Biopiracy, click here.
  • NBA Confirms Monsanto/Mahyco And Ors. To Be Criminally Prosecuted In B.t. Brinjal Biopiracy Case, click here.

[/expand]

[expand title = “On Agroecology” tag =”h3″]

• 2019: Beyond Corporate Driven Industrial Agriculture to Climate Resilient Agroecology: For a Hunger Free, Suicide Free, Poison Free Republic, click here.
• 2018: A Review Of Andhra Pradesh’s Climate Resilient Zero Budget Natural Farming Programme, click here.

• 2004: CITIES in the 21st Century – Bangalore forward, but what about the rest?, click here.
• 2002
  • Environment Support Group and the International Honors Programme “Cities in the 21st Century” India Programme, click here.
  • Interaction with International Honors Programme Participants “Cities in the 21st Century” (Kind Attn. Education Correspondents) – Press Invitation, click here.

[/expand]

[/expand]