Sir — The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration was launched recently with the goal of preventing, halting and reversing ecosystem degradation. Its report calls on the world to restore at least one billion hectares of degraded land in the next decade. But the problem with this is that countries often use this as an excuse to start commercial plantations and pass these off as forested areas in audits. Since economy is the only thing world leaders understand, they should perhaps chew on this: roughly half of global GDP depends on nature, and if ecosystem services decline at a steady rate, an estimated $10 trillion in global GDP may be lost by 2050.

Subho Bhattacharya,
Calcutta

Game, set, match

Sir — In an absolutely thrilling match with an unexpected ending, Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros men’s semi-final. Nadal was chasing a record 21st Grand Slam title; this would have put him at the top spot in tennis, moving him past Roger Federer. But after a gritty battle, Djokovic is now one victory away from completing a second Career Grand Slam and earning his 19th major crown, which will put him within breathing distance of Federer and Nadal.

Nadal is known as the king of the clay court and it takes not just skill but also mental fortitude to stand in front of him at the French Open. Yet, Djokovic put pressure on Nadal in almost every service game, and that left the 13-time champion scrambling for a way to change the rhythm of the match. The incredible shotmaking of the two players led to four service breaks and 14 break points in the set. This match reminded one of the Wimbledon clash between Djokovic and Federer. Both matches were not only thrilling but veritable masterclasses in tennis.

Arindam Da,
Hooghly

Sir — “[L]ife goes on, it is nothing more than a defeat on a tennis court,” said the defending French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, after conceding the semi-final match to the rising star of the tennis firmament, Novak Djokovic. But that semi-final match was no ordinary game of tennis. This is only the third time that Nadal has been defeated at the French Open. Nadal won the first five games and looked set to repeat the drubbing of the Serb in last year’s final. But Djokovic seized the momentum, winning the second set and then edging a pulsating 97-minute third set on a tiebreak, having saved a set point. After breaking a tiring Nadal’s serve for a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, the end came quickly as Djokovic inflicted a first defeat on Nadal at the French Open since he beat him in the 2015 quarter-final. It was an unbelievable show of tenacity by the Serbian world champion.

Indranil Roy,
Calcutta

Sir — Novak Djokovic must be lauded for his spirited game against the king of the clay court, Rafael Nadal. The men’s semi-final of the French Open was a treat for tennis lovers across the world.

Rima Roy,
Calcutta

Grave danger

Sir — The article, “Flickering flame” (June 11), by Ashish Khetan was enlightening. Khetan welcomed the much-needed initiative of the Supreme Court to review the constitutional validity of Section 124A, popularly known as the sedition law. But Khetan also listed a number of other laws that are being wielded by the government to crush opponents and critics who speak up against the government’s misdeeds and are vocal about individual freedom and civil liberties. The Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre has been most creative when it comes to misusing any and every law at its disposal.

Unfortunately, the apex court’s verdicts in the cases related to the Rafale contract, the PM-Cares Fund, the Sahara-Birla diaries and so on have raised more questions in the minds of citizens than ever before. The apex court — the protector of the Constitution and thus democracy — is expected to be beyond questions and to pass judgments that benefit each and every citizen. When doubts begin to arise about its judgments, democracy is in grave danger indeed.

Jahar Saha,
Calcutta