Biodiversity & Environment
Green Activists Oppose Coastal Highway
- 10 Dec 2019
- 2 min read
Why in News
Green Nobel Prize winner Prafulla Samantara with other green activists has opposed the 415-km-long coastal highway from Digha in West Bengal to Gopalpur in south Odisha proposed by the Central and State governments.
- The proposed highway will pass through Chilika lake, Bhitarkanika and related eco-sensitive areas.
- The project will destroy more than 33% of the natural mangrove forests in these areas and may lead to increased sea erosion.
Green Nobel Prize
- The Goldman Environmental Prize (also known as Green Nobel Prize) recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk.
- It is awarded annually by Goldman Environmental Foundation since 1990.
- It honours people from the world’s six continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America, and South & Central America.
- The Goldman Prize views “grassroots” leaders as those involved in local efforts, where positive change is created through community or citizen participation in the issues that affect them.
- Goldman Prize recipients are usually people from isolated villages or inner cities who choose to take great personal risks to safeguard the environment.
- The winners are announced on Earth Day which is observed on 22nd April every year.
- So far, five Indians have received the Goldman Environmental Prize. They are:
- Prafulla Samantara (2017): Campaign against drilling and mining in Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha.
- Ramesh Agrawal (2014): Protested coal mining in Chhattisgarh.
- Rashida Bee & Champa Devi Shukla (2004): Union Carbide gas leak (Bhopal) related environmental justice.
- MC Mehta (1996): Industrial pollution fouling the Ganges and eroding the Taj Mahal.
- Medha Patkar (1992): Narmada Bachao Andolan.
