Kolkata, Aug 30 - An environmental activist plans to set up India's first Green Party on the lines of similar outfits in Germany, Australia, the US and Britain and is leaving for London next month to learn about the functioning of pro-environment parties.

A chartered accountant (CA) by profession who is a green crusader, Subhas Dutta has participated in several environment movements across West Bengal and has been fighting for various green issues since 1977.

He was instrumental in India setting up first a state-level 'Green Bench' at Calcutta High Court in 1996. He has also championed other green causes, including the pollution at the Victoria Memorial, the degradation of the city's sprawling Maidan, and for phasing out old and polluting commercial vehicles of Kolkata.

But realising that environment matters can be better highlighted by participating in the decision-making process, he plans to form the country's first Green Party and is going to London to meet Caroline Lucas, leader of the the British Green Party and member of European Parliament.

'I wrote to the authorities of the British Green Party and they agreed to meet me.