Apropos to the news story “Male Ghadiyal released in Rapti” (THT, December 23, Page 5), it is indeed necessary to establish a Joint Conservation Initiative (JCI) between India and Nepal to further facilitate a successful international Indo-Nepal Ghadiyal Conservation Programme.

Ghadiyal or fish eating crocodile like fresh water, river dolphins across South Asia is showing an alarming decline of their different sub populations. Though captive breeding programmes are operational in India and Nepal; yet the species numbers are shrinking over the decades. Unless both countries join hands in managing and conserving the species together under a joint initiative, the future of this unfortunate yet majestic reptile is almost destined to be extinct over the next three decades.

The species has been currently designated by IUCN as critically endangered; with global populations in the wild possibly less than 1,000 individuals. The species, which one stretched between the Indus river of Pakistan in the west to the Irrawady river of Myanmar in the east, has been reported to be extinct in Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The last remaining sub populations are spread across the Gangetic river system between Nepal and India. Rapid degradation of the riverine ecosystem and habitats, high level of aquatic pollution, rampart poaching, lack of stable food sources, entanglement in fishing net, collision with trawlers are some of the anthropogenic factors responsible for the decline of the species.

Kumar Basu, Canada

Disturbing

It is sad to observe both India and Pakistan getting stuck over the issue of the imprisoned Indian officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. The way both the countries are now reacting to the current espionage issue and the manner in which the fellow citizens speak and write negatively about each other are all the disturbing signs.

The best thing these two countries should have done is to ease the volatile situation by not reacting unnecessarily. In this context, I am bound to say that as a voracious reader, I have been writing to almost all the Pakistani English newspapers that have never commented negatively on Pakistan in the last two years are mostly focusing on the good and great things about India and Pakistan.

Interestingly, both India and Pakistan had come across a long way in the great legacy of history wherein they had left behind the trails of beautiful culture, heritage, wealth and knowledge. No doubt there is no scarcity of intellect and great minds on both sides. I am not just talking about Indo-Pakistani relationship.

This can be greatly applied to the other beautiful Asian countries such as Nepal,China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka that are in great possession ofgreat wealth and beautiful knowledge that can be tapped to greater extent.

Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai