Thanks for the excellent article “Conservation paradox: Addressing concerns” by Sheren Shrestha and Kanchan Thapa (THT, March 3, Page 8). Kudos to the authors for highlighting the pressing issue that is always swept under the carpet as this is not directly related to the voting politics of any democracy. I would humbly like to add that it will be important also to establish Joint Conservation Initiative (JCI) with neighbouring countries for managing the human-animal conflict for several trans-boundary migrating species like tigers, elephants, migratory bird species for better and more efficient conservation efforts.

Furthermore, wildlife and wildlife parts trafficking, poaching and insurgent activities integrated with flourishing global illegal wildlife trade in China and SE Asia are seriously impacting biodiversity across South and SE Asia. For better conservation, education, awareness of the common people along with their participation in the process of conservation process as important stakeholders is significantly important and cannot be underestimated. Without regional and international cooperation, no conservation efforts can bear long-term fruits in a richly bio-diverse nation like Nepal.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada

Brain drain

I was filled with nostalgia after reading the news story “Helicopter designed by local youth a crowd-puller” (THT, February 28, Page 4). The model helicopter made by Manjit BK, 33, was displayed in a fair in Rukum inaugurated by PM Pushpa Kamala Dahal. He fitted a motorbike engine with the helicopter but he could not make a test-flight due to prohibition from the local authorities.

The very first thing that popped up in my mind after reading this though provoking news story was that this land of ours has just been a curse for such innovative, creative minds who have a potential to show the world that they can also invest or innovate something that is useful to mankind. What is frustrating is that the authorities concerned did not give him permission to test-fly. Had he been given the permission, he would have either been successful or unsuccessful in achieving what he had made.

There have been several occasions in the past that such new ideas and concepts were not allowed to flourish. Rather such talents were nipped in the bud, let alone get support from the government and other research institutions.

The people around the world would not have been able to fly from one place to another place within hours, had the US government or authorities barred the Rights Brothers from test flights in windy Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903.

Unfortunately, our budding talents are forced to migrate to developed countries where they find immense opportunity to display their innovation and creation.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen