Dehradun Citizens Forum Pushes Green Agenda for Civic Elections, Much Hinges on Parties’ Commitment to Implementation
Dehradun: With municipal elections around the corner, the Dehradun Citizens Forum (DCF) has presented its ambitious Green Agenda to main political players, aiming to place sustainable urban development at the heart of the civic discourse.
The 18-point agenda has been handed over to the BJP, Congress, and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), with the parties responding positively and promising to incorporate these concerns into their manifestos. The Green Agenda addresses pressing urban issues like climate action, waste management, traffic regulation, public transport improvement, and the establishment of ward committees to ensure public participation in urban planning.
A central demand is the formulation and monitoring of the Uttarakhand Urban Vision 2025 manifesto, alongside city-specific climate action plans for the state’s 11 municipal corporations.
On January 6, during a press conference at the Press Club, DCF unveiled the agenda on behalf of Dehradun’s citizens, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach.
“This draft isn’t just a pre-election document; it’s a roadmap for long-term urban sustainability,” said a DCF member.
The forum has actively engaged with political stakeholders to seek their commitment. Meetings were held with BJP State Secretary Aditya Kothari and Dr. Devendra Bhasin, Congress State President Karan Mahra, mayoral candidate Virendra Pokhriyal, senior leader Abhinav Thapar, and UKD Secretary Devchand Uttarakhandi.
DCF members, including Anoop Nautiyal, Florence Pandhi, and Dr. Vimal Nautiyal, handed over the draft, urging parties to not just adopt the agenda but also prioritize its implementation post-election.
Political parties have expressed their support, promising to incorporate the agenda into their electoral promises and engage in sustained dialogue on green urban issues.
However, much will depend on their actions once in power, as DCF members acknowledged.
“The real challenge is implementation. We need continuous dialogue and accountability, even after the elections,” said a DCF representative.
A separate Green Agenda draft for mayoral candidates is also in the works, underscoring DCF’s commitment to fostering a citizen-driven approach to urban governance.
By bringing environmental sustainability into the civic spotlight, the forum hopes to create an urban blueprint that prioritizes long-term well-being over short-term gains. Whether these political assurances translate into actionable policies remains to be seen.
For now, the Green Agenda has sparked a necessary conversation in Dehradun, setting the stage for more sustainable urban development.
