Development in any discipline is a step towards betterment. Adopting secularism is our move towards betterment in a way that it could sum up diverse people from every possible corner. But now at this point of time, when there is extreme need of unity in diversity, when we are desperately in need of serving humanity, how can we give a thought to being dismantled into fragments of different religions? How can we shrink to our individual identity while the world is striving to unite people as global citizens to address and alleviate the common problems of human beings? We cannot afford to step back on our way to development; rather we should address issues on greater premises. Moreover, in the name of preserving the culture, it would vehemently sound unreasonable to linger on this thought that naming our country a Hindu nation would deter people from celebrating Christmas, New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Say or similarly urge them to celebrate New Year of Bikram Sambat. At the end, all of these occasions are sought for the celebration of togetherness.

Sonam Lama, Kathmandu.

Relocation

Recently some of the state governments in India have been complaining about the negative impacts of over-population of certain wildlife species due to successful conservation measures adopted for the past several decades. Some wildlife species such as the blue bull (Nilgai), spotted deer, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, langurs and peacocks have reached unsustainably high population levels in some states. Their over-population has been proving counterproductive now with serious annual damage to the standing crops. One of the methods suggested for controlling their population has been culling and this is grossly debated and an unacceptable option in controlling wildlife populations. However, an alternative strategy could be to relocate several surplus wildlife species to suitable, alternative habitats both within India and beyond her borders. A joint initiative between the local South and SE Asian governments or in other words an agreement between SAARC and ASEAN regions could help relocate to suitable habitats in appropriate South and SE Asian countries from places where they are overpopulated after veterinary inspection and successful quarantine period.

If the relocation and captive breeding programs for a couple of species appear to be successful it may become a great boost for local wildlife conservation through cooperation between adjacent countries. Thus these new habitats could be used to repopulate target species and help the propagation of several endangered species. Thus, through a joint conservation program related species and/or sub-species could be exchanged between different countries within the region to help them multiply and breed successfully supporting enrichment of the grand biodiversity of the region.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada