A young crusader fights for our forests

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Fifteen year old Vibhawari Jammi from Hyderabad is one of the most active volunteers for Greenpeace India’s campaign to save forests from coal mining in Central India. She has enthusiastically gathered the highest number of supporters and signatures on a petition that will soon be given to the Prime Minister at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) taking place in Hyderabad.

What is it that sets this 15 year old apart from adults twice or thrice her age? She decided to not just sit back and expect the change she wants to see happen on its own accord. She has created a lot of awareness about this issue and even made a video on what forests, wildlife and forest-dependent communities mean to her and how losing them to coal is absurd and shameful when we have renewable sources of energy.

Vibhawari will accompany Greenpeace activist Brikesh Singh to the CBD and all efforts are being made to ensure that the two of them are able to meet the PM and deliver lakhs of petitions, asking him to put a stop to coal mining in forests. Brikesh Singh came to Hyderabad a few days back after spending a month in a tree house on the fringes of the Tadoba-Andhari forest, protesting against coal mining in forests. Vibhawari has even prepared a speech for the CBD.

In her video Vibhawari, ends by saying it would be our fault if we don’t speak up for forests, wildlife and forest-dependent communities. This might be poignant but it is true. We need to convince our government that we will not accept destruction of forests and all the life they support for a few more years of coal. We must push them to make renewable energy a priority, whatever the cost. Like Leonardo Da Vinci said, ‘Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.’ To raise your voice against forest destruction and sign the petition to the PM, visit www.junglistan.com/home [2].

Here is an extract from an interview with Vibhawari Jammi

1. What motivated you to fight for this cause of saving forests in Central India from Coal mining?

It is something that if not dealt with would negatively affect every generation to come, including mine.

2. As a young person what hurts you the most on the current state of the environment in India?

It is really sad that we can’t keep our surroundings as clean as they can be, by putting in a little extra effort. It is done only when there is a pushing factor, like leaving your home messy all the way until a guest is to arrive.

3. You are the highest on the leader board and have recruited the maximum number of people to sign the Greenpeace petition to save Central Indian forests. How did you achieve this?

I mailed everyone I knew and shared the link through social networks for one, and I had the chance to motivate many students and teachers in my school to do the same as well. When I was doing so, all I really had in mind was the security of forests. It wasn’t my intention to climb the leader board, though I must say I was very pleased when it did happen.

4. Give us a brief about your speech and what you will tell the PM about this issue at the CBD if given the chance?

When I address them, my motive will be to convey the opinion of my generation, and all those to come, because we are the ones whose future is at risk because of the mines they are planning.

5. Do you think the young generation in India is aware about environmental issues? Do they care about what is happening?

A lot of young Indians are aware about environmental issues but there is only a certain extent to which we can do something about them. There are people around that would do a lot to save what they can, but we need the motivation and guidance from adults whom we look up to. It is sad that with each decision they make to save the environment, they end up handing in another false promise.

6. What do you think young people can do to make more of a difference?

It is important to get up and get moving when there is a problem, to participate at the first opportunity, and be part of the solution. It is important to voice your opinion first to even understand why people contradict it. That’s when it is your turn to counter, because it is your future that you need to save.

7. In your video you talk about the immense potential of renewable energy in India. Why do you think our forests are still being destroyed when we have these resources?

I have met some people who may have a similar view to the miners and other authorities, and they believe that just for a few hundred tigers (and of course, the thousands of other endemic species), the hopes of billions of people can’t be crushed. They also tell me that we can become an economically developed country through coal and in the meantime develop renewable resources. But we have relied on coal for the last 60 years since Independence, and it is harming more than helping us. It is time to pay attention to the needs of a sustainable future. We need to divert funds to renewable resources instead of coal, to achieve success.

8. How do you plan to keep working on saving our last remaining forests from coal mining?

Raising awareness will never cease to be a part of it. I also wish to know of every obstacle that keeps people from accepting the truth, tackle it and destroy it. So that they can see clearly the dark future they are creating for us by mining for coal. It is my dream to live a sustainable future.