This refers to 'Straw in the wind' (February 16). We, the civilised human race, have reached a point where it is almost impossible to strike a perfect balance between our 'material need' and the 'need to protect the environment'. The writer has given an example where it is still possible to provide protection to the environment. The farmers have taken the sure and easiest route to get rid of the 'byproduct' of their manufacturing process, paddy in this case. However, there are situations where scraps and byproducts are not suitable for recycling, like non-biodegradable polymeric materials, generated as scrap and rejected in many industries manufacturing moulded chairs. Manufacturers do not have an option but to use them in boilers, resulting in generation of toxic gases.
Wooden chairs are not an option as they lead to deforestation. Hence, the solution lies in using mats made of tree leaves and making sitting arrangements on the ground, not on moulded chairs.
In earlier days, people used to sit on the floor, thus, making the use of moulded chairs irrelevant.
Ashok Chakrabarty Kolkata
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
