The issue over the culling of wild species (“Maneka slams Javadekar over culling”, June 10) is a serious reminder of the ethical dilemmas and ironies Indians face. An increasing population of certain species is a result of a declining population of predators. It is also because of the way we have messed up the ecosystem. Rather than taking things into our own hands, we must let nature even out things.
Naveen Rattu,Chandigarh
We are to blame for the state of affairs. First we encroach on the natural habitats of species and then slaughter them when we feel they pose a threat. There are better ways of control. Why doesn’t the Ministry seek foreign help? Is culling the only way to protect our farms?
G. Sudha Nachiar,Erode
The Environment Ministry’s logic of protecting the interests of farmers by culling farm-raiding wild animals is strange. How does the Ministry propose to protect farmers when there is drought, excessive rain or other natural events?
S. Sankar,Chennai
One wonders whether Union Miinster Maneka Gandhi has witnessed the misery of a small-time orchard farmer whose crop of apples or apricots has been destroyed by a troop of monkeys in a matter of minutes. Or the tears of a farmer in Narnaul, Haryana, helpless against fearless Nilgai. The Ahir community in the area are strict vegetarians subsisting on bajra and jowar from their dry, unirrigated fields. I am more of the opinion that her views are quite irrational.
Navjeevan Khosla,Panchkula, Haryana
The mode of culling should have been converted into an opportunity to explore the possibility of wildlife hunting tourism. Shooting blocks could have been opened with facilities for camps for international shooters and the export of meat to foreign countries thought of. The money earned could have been used for wildlife conservation.
B.M.T. Rajeev,Bengaluru
