Roaring failure

The report, 8216;Roar of approval8217;, by Neha Sinha has rightly stressed that for the protection of the tiger population, the involvement of local villagers is all that makes the difference.

8226; The report, 8216;Roar of approval8217;, by Neha Sinha has rightly stressed that for the protection of the tiger population, the involvement of local villagers is all that makes the difference. We should certainly learn from the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve experiment involving ecotourism, long patrols and habitat protection with the cooperation of the local population. But I must also point out that she has not exposed our utter failure to protect tigers elsewhere.

What explains the dwindling tiger population is also the fact of our corrupt, negligent and ill-equipped forest guards, who are no match for poachers. The poaching mafia can8217;t survive without active support from forest guards, politicians and bureaucrats. The nexus between them has to be broken, and we need a comprehensive approach to tiger protection. The prime minister should keep his pledge to save our national animal and implement a long-term wildlife preservation policy with sufficient funds and a provision for severe punishment of law-breakers.

8212; Vitull K. Gupta

Bathinda

Wonk8217;s math

8226; Satisfying major sections of the society yet assuring the nation that the economic growth rate will not be decelerated is no mean achievement. The Rail Budget did not displease anybody either. Congenital critics and critics under political duress are raising questions about how the Rs 60,000 crore loan waiver amount will be raised. The FM in a TV interview said that he first addressed the concern voiced by his critics; and when the time for replenishing the resource gap will come he will tackle it adequately and effectively. Could it be that the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission8217;s recommendations will bring many Central government employees back into the tax net?

8212; N.K. Das Gupta

Kolkata

Seniors on toes

8226; The twin victories against Australia and South Africa were a golden moment in the history of Indian cricket and one cricket lovers would remember for a long time to come. India beat Australia comprehensively as Sachin Tendulkar fired from the front to put the Aussies truly down under. Our U-19 World Cup win in Malaysia, where we beat South Africa, was the icing on the cake and these victories suggest that we are one of the best cricketing nations in the world. A special mention must be given to Sachin who silenced his critics with the power of the willow. Forty-two ODIs and still going strong, keep it up, Sachin!

The U-19 win is a good boost to our senior side, as many junior players can make a transition to the national side. This would also keep the non-performing senior players on their toes.

8212; S.N. Kabra

Mumbai

Dry gulps

8226; It takes each one of us to conserve what we are fast losing 8212; our water resources. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has warned that temperatures in the next century are expected to go up by 2.5 to 4.5 degrees Centigrade, and there will be a serious shortage of water and threat to food security. Governments at national, provincial and local levels have been promising for years to deal with the challenge of water shortage, but nothing has been done to meet the challenge. The only response so far has been the creation of a market for water, which has taken advantage of the bankruptcy of our policy in the matter.

8212; Probir Kumar Bose

New Panvel