Lost treat

• Sir — Tasty food, even when ordered on a popular food-delivery app, may not always be on the way. The other day, a delivery executive refused to bring over the dinner that I had ordered because of an error in the delivery address. The flaw was corrected immediately; the order had also been paid for. But the executive would have none of it. He informed me, rather rudely, that the company would not compensate him for the extra distance he would have to travel. The customer care executive - a call had been put through - pleaded helplessness, but assured me that the amount I had paid would be credited to my bank account. But is that any consolation for the loss of a tasty dinner?

Tathagata Barui,
Calcutta

Time to act

• Sir — The India State of Forest Report, 2017 showed that 7,08,273 square kilometres of land in the country is covered with forests at present ("A blow from an axe", March 31). Even though this is almost a one per cent increase from the previous survey carried out in 2015, it still falls short of the 33 per cent forest cover mandated by the Forest Policy, 1982. The growing demand for timber and non-wood forest products, not to mention the increasing need for land, are the main causes behind this.

In light of this, it is alarming that the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 has given primacy to industries and the demand for raw materials over the needs of forest communities. The policy is aimed at making Narendra Modi's promised achchhe din a reality. But these achchhe din will only come for one small segment of society. A sensible and sensitive forest policy is the need of the hour. Another Chipko Andolan may be the solution.

Sambhu Nath Chowdhury,
Hooghly

• Sir — The Chipko Andolan changed the way India viewed its biodiversity, especially its forests. It heralded stricter conservation laws. However, few know that the concept of the Chipko movement originated long before the Garhwali women put themselves between the trees and about 200 axemen. Back in the 18th century, the Bishnoi community had carried out a similar protest. People from about 84 villages in Rajasthan, led by one Amrita Devi, hugged the local khejri trees to save them from being cut down by the king's men. Their protests forced the king to stop the felling of trees.

This shows that ecological awareness has been a part of India's ethos since time immemorial. And it has mostly been community movements that have reined in the greed of large corporates and governments. Once again, it is civil society that needs to stand up to the devious intentions of the current dispensation, which are evident in the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018.

Rajdeep Mukherjee,
Calcutta

• Sir — The article, "A blow from an axe", could not have appeared at a more opportune moment as far as I am concerned. I spent that entire day in a small grassland near Nadia taking pictures of various kinds of birds, butterflies and flowers. A friend who had accompanied me helped me identify the various species of plants. Sadly, I learnt from locals that the land has been sold to a construction company and the lush greenery would soon be replaced by drab concrete. I shudder to think of the fate of the animals and birds that will get displaced from here.

A blow from the axe would indeed be fatal for these creatures. But, as always, it is the pen that is mightier than the axe. Ministers and bureaucrats who sign away such land to construction companies do not care a jot that this will spell doom for the creatures that call such grasslands their home. There is unlikely to be Chipko-like scenario here as the locals are not bothered about this at all. The bird-watching enthusiasts who flock to the place should raise their voice.

Alok Ganguly,
Kalyani

• Sir — Ramachandra Guha has highlighted the dangers of privatizing India's forests. The fate of the poor when the State leaves them at the mercy of the capitalists is known to all. If not, one only has to look at private hospitals or schools to find out. Lack of government participation is the reason for the bad condition of the health and education sectors. It will be unfortunate if forests are snatched from underprivileged forest communities.

Sujit De,
Calcutta