The reduction of forest cover and the consequent displacement of adivasis, need not even be looked at altruistically. Just look at it in pure self interest. It is in our self interest to retain forest cover. It is in our self interest to let the adivasis live in their ancestral lands. It is in our self interest to see that the adivasis and other economically backward sections get basic rights to food,education, shelter, medicare.
In pure selfishness, we don't want to lose forest cover because we will not get any water in our taps. We do not want the dispossesed to be drifting and entering our metros and living in shanty towns. We do not want people desperate enough to turn to crime in large numbers and commit dacoities in our towns.
So let us not care one bit for the adivasis, the poor, the dispossesed. Let us only care about ourselves...the well-being of the urban elite. So, let the forest cover be maintained, the adivasis retain their land rights, the dispossesed get their basic requirements fulfilled.. so that we may live safe in our cities, enjoy good water supply, not be gated into high-security communities.
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