Ban on Shawtooth trade laudable
Sir, I render my sincere appreciation for the ban on international trade of the Shawtooth sharks or its parts by the UN’s body regulating wildlife commerce, CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – on Monday with the hope of saving the threatened fish species. But, the clause that allows them to be caught and traded only for conservation purposes could provide illegal traders a loophole to get on with their activities. Earlier, countries like China caught sharks citing such ease in restrictions and sold them on a large scale for a ransom.
There should be a mechanism to check the authenticity of the purpose before permission to trade the sharks is given. I sincerely hope that this loophole in the ban doesn't open up new avenues for underground trade in the countries of the world, including in India.
Freeda Maria Swarna
Bangalore
They should merge
Sir, There is a suggestion that the present coalition partners Janata Dal (S) and BJP should merge and form a single party with the name Karnataka Development Party. The state BJP should sever its relations with its central leadership which has lost its credibility and unable to keep its house in order. None of its policies seem to aid the state unit. So the alliance partners should consider the feasibility of a merger.
A H MAQDOOMI
Gulbarga
Put clear boards
Sir, Most of the destination boards in BMTC buses are faded and hard to read. Buses, especially the Parisaravahinis, have the boards near the front entrance and during night there is no provision for illumination.
Boards on the rear side of the Parisaravahinis are either absent or placed improperly.
Further, the LED destination boards introduced in Volvo and certain ordinary busses also cause inconvenience to the passenger.
The BMTC must take action and put clear boards in their buses.
Ramachandran P V
Bangalore,
Stop chasing coaches
Sir, The rejection by Graham Ford and John Emburey of the offer to coach India, as described by Sunil Gavaskar, is a snub to the BCCI. In the wake of this, the Board should follow the method it had adopted for the Bangladesh tour. It should realise that ultimately the performance of the team is important whatever may be its constitution. Let us not waste our time in chasing foreign coaches.
V S Ganeshan
Bangalore
Western conspiracy
Sir, We should not fall prey to the designs of the West which is trying to derail our economy by asking us to cut down greenhouse gas emission. This would affect our economic growth. The West, particularly the Europeans, have been targeting India and China in a variety of ways to compromise on growth to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases, when the US emission of these gases exceed that of both countries put together. Thus it is the US and the developed countries that should do more towards stopping global warming.
S Kamat
Goa
Muslim's real saviour
Sir, This is in reference to "The Muslim Question", by Kancha Ilaiah (DH, June 07). Against all odds, the Muslim community is now realising that their real saviour is education and are trying hard to catch up with others. The Khans, Sanias, Azim Premjis of the world don't seem to have inspired the Muslims, who live in squalid conditions.
Mehen Jain
Belgaum.
