By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, Feb. 26 -- Surely, he's a skilled actor, but Abhay Deol isn't only fascinated by the sector of lights, camera and action. He's equally desirous about the planet and our surroundings. His latest move is to enroll in the Greenpeace campaign against deforestation for coal mining at Mahan in Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh. The campaign aims to convince the federal government to prevent deforestation within the area.
"When a celeb comes on board, it brings awareness to the problem and makes headlines immediately. It gives them the media coverage they desperately want. If extending my name gives them that coverage, then why don't you? All I NEED TO do is find time for it," says the actor, who already vouches for Video Volunteers, Butterflies, The Climate Project and Wildlife SOS. Moreover, Abhay also flew over the Mahan forests to spread awareness concerning the cause and has even shot a video for Greenpeace.
"From the balloon, I checked out the pretty forests of Mahan. It was a panoramic sight, however the proven fact that coal mining threatens to destroy these forests made it disheartening."
According to Greenpeace, the Union Coal Ministry was inquiring for additional forestland to extend coal production in central India. Coal companies, including the government-owned Coal India Limited, have access to over 2 lakh hectares of coal bearing land, including 55,000 hectares of forest area, as per campaigners who've collected over 1.21 lakh signatures for a petition to forestall coal mining in our forests.
"It was easier for me to mention yes to Greenpeace considering the quantity of respectability it comes with. But before choosing an organisation, I make certain that they have got a motive; work on the grassroot level and accomplish the results," he says.
