World environment day and deforestation: Letters to The EDITOR

World environment day and deforestation

Along with the rest of the country, World Environment Day was observed in Assam, too on June 5. This year Assam appeared to be more enthusiastic in planting of saplings than ever before. The Chief Minister on the occasion of World Environment Day declared in Silchar that the government of Assam is set to plant 45 lakh saplings in the State. But our past experience suggests that of the total number of the saplings planted a good chunk would be wasted for want of proper care. On the other hand, we know that Assam always obtains first position amongst all the states of India in matters of deforestation. Sunk deep into the morass of corruption, State's Forest Department leaves no stone unturned using the 'Unholy-Alliance' of the Forest mafia and some unscrupulous officials to ensure deforestation. If a ranking is earmarked in corruption among all the corrupt departments of Assam, forest department's position would be distinctive, in our opinion. Very often, we are jolted to our sense when from media reports it emerged that most of our greenery have been transformed into desert like state under the nose of our police force, forest officials and the BSF manning the border of India-Bangladesh including the river route woods are smuggled to Bangladesh. That apart, illegal occupation of the land even in reserved areas by dubious citizens is another headache of the government. We appeal to our Chief Minister through your esteemed daily to check corruption in an effective way something our forest ministers fail to do.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh.

ICC allows offering Namaz in play ground, why not hand gloves with a nationalistic symbol?

It refers to International Cricket Council (ICC) objecting nationalist symbol on hand gloves of Indian wicket keeper Mahender Singh Dhoni while allowing offering Namaz by Pakistan cricket team on the cricket ground before start of a World Cup cricket match. This is at a time when ICC norms do not allow religious aspects in World Cup cricket tournament.

Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricket body in the world, funding heavily for ICC which practically makes BCCI to compel genuine aspects raised by Indian cricket-team. India should be firm like Israel not to succumb to the ICC pressure and even go to the extent of boycotting World Cup matches if ICC does not permit Indian wicket keeper to wear hand gloves with nationalistic symbol. Rather BCCI should object any religious activities by any cricket team in the playground.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

1775 Kucha Lattushah

Dariba, Chandni Chowk

Delhi-110006 (India).