• In the absence of any context, the notion of India and Pakistan “resolving” the Baghliar hydroelectric project issue sounds rather reasonable (‘Technically reasonable.’, IE, January 20). However, if one bothers to read the Indus Water Treaty, one can see that the Baghliar project is not in violation of the treaty, though the Pakistanis would like to claim so. In formulating foreign policy, rewarding bad behaviour is not very smart and it does not result in cessation of hostilities. What India needs is to create a reason for Pakistan to be reasonable — failing which, New Delhi must move to forcefully assert its case on the Baghliar project. — Suresh Prasad Bangalore Sacred duties • I agree with your editorial ‘Sacred and temporal’ (January 18) that the state must keep away from the affairs of religious shrines. But with the affairs of shrines and the conduct of religious leaders increasingly coming under scrutiny, the government has a right to scrutinise their accounts in the interest of the general public and see that the money is used for social purposes. Not scrutinising accounts would amount to giving an unfettered right to religious leaders to use the money for subversive activities. — Siddhartha Raj Guha Jabalpur Contention zone • I refer to the article ‘Murdering the sentinels of the shore’ by Valmik Thapar (IE, January 19). The enactment of the Environment Protection Act 1986 followed by the CRZ rules in 1991 has seriously affected the development of ports which cannot be sited inshore. The process of environment clearance or approval takes two-three years, adding to the cost of the project and affecting its viability. The framers of the Act and the Rules did not look into the practical problems which arise during conception of projects which need a waterfront, hence several amendments became necessary. I do not feel it had anything to do with politicians, as claimed by Thapar. Countries like Hawaii have tsunami warning systems. People climb up to safer heights. In India we do not have such a system, and therefore there was no warning on December 26. Besides, large stretches of our coastline are flat without natural protection, such as hillocks. I am in agreement with Thapar that vegetation — forests and mangroves — must be preserved and there should be no compromise on this issue. It is time that the CRZ regulations are reviewed dispassionately taking into account practical aspects. — S.R. Gaitonde Mumbai Another war? • US President George W. Bush’s recent statement on Iran seems to indicate the making of another Iraq. It’s high time the United Nations stepped in and saved the world from yet another war. — Sonali Sarin Mathura The Sania effect • Sania Mirza has entered the third round of the Australian Open (‘Go Sania Go’, IE, January 20). With this fantastic result for women’s tennis in India, sport authorities should think seriously about hiring some foreign coaches and raising the standard of tennis training in the country. — Colin Jacob Melbourne
