Letters

Vile comment

Virtually every line of your editorial "Collaborations Consolidated" on the Jungle Jivan Bachao Yatra (March 31, 1995) can be criticised for either factual inaccuracy or gross distortion. There are even discrepancies between the editorial and the article "Forest March" by Meera Iyer in the same issue. The editorial, for instance, gives the impression that the yatra was dominated by middle-class environmental activists, whereas Iyer's more balanced article indicates that social activists and "most importantly" local people also participated in the yatra.

Of greater concern than the distortions is the writer's simplistic "analysis" in which middle class environmentalists, forest officials and villagers are treated as though each of these is a homogeneous and united entity.

This attitude is in no way helpful in resoling the natural-resource conflicts or, indeed, the empowerment of the people. The insinuation that no forest official could be sincere is insulting and disheartening to those individuals who struggle for justice from within the system.

To recommend that middle classs environmentalists should "learn from the people" implies that they have not been doing so, ignoring the significant role played by these very people in bringing environmental issues to the forefront, nationally and internationally.

The 2 citizens' reports on the state of India's environment are a case in point. Finally, to suggest that all "villagers" have complete knowledge for sustainable environmental management and can have nothing to learn from others is as naive and destructive as the opposing view.

The editorial is a forum for serious analysis and criticism of topical events. The writer of this piece, however, appears to have used the yatra as an excuse to launch a vitriolic attack on certain yatris and forest officials and middle class environmentalists in general. Had the writer chosen to listen to the dominant sections of the yatra more closely, he or she would have realised that there is far greater agreement between their views than perhaps he or she would like the readers to think....

Gala ruin

The Jaisamand Lake in Udaipur is the life line of thousands of villagers and tribals. Today, these people are being uprooted from their land and livelihood with promises of employment in the hotel that is being planned on the island.

The lake is somewhat reducing the acute water crisis of Udaipur. But the government and the politicians have allowed the ostentatious inauguration of a luxurious hotel on the island. This will finally lead to the pollution of the river as the tourist pressure on it would increase drastically. Also, the easy access of tourists could pose a security threat to the dam itself.

I suggest that serious efforts should be made to turn the hotel into a cultural museum. Four years ago there was a signature campaign against the construction of the hotel, which was ignored by the concerned authorities. I hope that this time the voice of the people will be heard and necessary action taken....

Adding to our knowledge

I have read the boxed item Ayurvedic Air Filter (February 28, 1995) developed by S C Gupta of Nagpur, and the item The cart of the matter (March 15, 1995), about some miniature carts crafted by R Jain of Suryadaya.

As these are of immense interest to our cause, we would like to get in touch with them. Kindly inform us of their complete addresses.

Their addresses are:
R JAIN
S-13, L B S Marg, Tilak Nagar
Jaipur - 302 004

S G GUPTA
546 East Fountain Square, New Shukrawari
Nagpur - 440 002...

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