Directory of dead trees
WE MAY all have telephonic links with each other but surrounding us will be barren land devoid of trees. This futuristic scenario may become a reality as rapid advances in the telecommunication industiy will encourage the publishing of more telephone directories and, consequently, the felling more trees.
The introduction of cellular phones, paging.@Ievices, cordless telephone and t the plS@s to create 20 million neiO connections in India would all require new telephone directbries. One set of directories means the loss of a whole tree. Degradation of the green cover leads to the accumulation of excess methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour in the atmosphere, adversely affecting the ozone layer.
To prevent the loss of forests, several countries are now providing personal computers with a compact disc full of information. Non-subscribers can access the data, required from the directory enquiry cell. This should go a long way in reducing the demand for paper.