Civil society members along with the environmental NGO Greenpeace India gathered here on Thursday to discuss India’s role in promoting peace and science in the Arctic region and extend solidarity to the Arctic 30, who have been arrested following a peaceful protest at Gazprom’s oil rig to stop drilling in the Arctic.
The Greenpeace’s ship, the Arctic Sunrise, was also seized by the Russian authorities and 28 Greenpeace activists, a photojournalist and a videographer have been charged with piracy and hooliganism. They can face a jail term of up to seven years. They are currently in the prison at Murmansk, Russia.
The members also highlighted the key role that India could play in securing protection of the wider Arctic for pursuit of scientific research and international peaceful collaboration. Due to the retreating ice, new areas are being made accessible for industrial exploitation which would further endanger the already threatened environment of the Arctic. The melting of the ice in the Arctic would be catastrophic for all. The world must work together to save the Arctic rather than destroy it, said conservationist Biswajit Mohanty.
On India’s role in the Arctic, Greenpeace India media officer Pari Trivedi said, “India’s capacity as an observer on the Arctic Council and our deep interest in the issue of climate change gives us an opportunity to show global leadership in calling for the Arctic region to be made a natural reserve, shared by all nations and devoted to peace and science. The Indian leaders can join the world in creating a positive message to safeguard the fragile environment of the Arctic.”
Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik said, “I am deeply moved by the action to save the planet from environmental destruction. I am going to create a massive sand art in Puri tomorrow to highlight the cause. The future of the Arctic is the future of our mother Earth.”