The issue of upstreamdownstream water balance is an important one and there is a need to understand the feasibility of water harvesting and groundwater recharge in upstream areas. Kumar et al (EPW, 30 August 2008) highlight this issue, but they overemphasise the negative aspects.

Introduction of tropical pines was a path-breaking trend in Indian forestry. It was driven by huge increase in demand of paper and pulp in the country which led to the search for fast growing species with long fibre.