Detrimental attitude towards wildlife
The tiger is the largest of the world’s big cats and this magnificent creature, with its distinctive orange and black stripes and beautifully marked face, has a day that is dedicated to it. International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29, to promote protection and expansion of wild tiger habitats, and also to gain support through awareness for tiger conservation.
Tigers are on the brink of extinction and International Tiger Day aims to bring attention to this fact and try to halt their decline. Many factors have caused their numbers to fall, including habitat loss, climate change and poaching. Tiger Day aims to protect and expand their habitats and raise awareness of the need for conservation. Organisations have programmes set up around the world to create protected areas and help restore habitats. This day highlights the drastic action needed to protect tigers in the wild that are increasingly at risk of extinction.
We humans and our activities have already caused irreparable damage to our ecosystem. Our activities have resulted in extinction of numerous species. It is high time we change this attitude.
From Ms Harmanjot Kaur
Sharjah
Let’s work together to save
Throughout the week, I have been reading many reports on UAE’s efforts to conserve energy and feel the country has taken a great step to ensure optimum use of energy resources. I do have a few suggestions, which would help in reducing power and resources consumption even more, however.
The use of solar panels in lighting up public places and street lights, and solar thermal panels in hotels and other public enterprises, should be used wherever applicable. This would enable savings in consumption of power. The practice of carpooling to work would ensure optimum fuel consumption. Also, better interconnectivity between the different emirates by improving public transport and providing connectivity via Metro and monorail would be an agreeable alternative.
The introduction of well-connected cycle pathways would give commuters an alternative and healthy way to commute to work.
Additionally, the use of recycled water for maintenance of public gardens and parks would conserve water. We can reduce waste by separating biodegradable waste and plastic waste, and use bio-waste for producing natural fertilisers. Recycling electronic waste and ensuring proper electronic waste management practices would also reduce landfills and keep us safe.
From Mr Rohit Menon
Abu Dhabi
Solar energy helps reduce consumption
Of late, conservation of energy is on my mind and I am trying my best to create awareness about conserving energy in my neighbourhood and with my relatives and friends. I strongly feel that for apartment buildings, solar power offers a number of potential benefits. Another option is to use the power from solar panels for common areas, such as hallways and lobbies, or common amenities such as pools.
By the grace of God, the UAE is blessed with ample sunshine, especially in the months of June, July and August. Solar energy reduces the use of fossil fuels and the carbon footprint of residents by decreasing carbon emissions from fossil fuels used to provide heating and power.
I request the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) to introduce initiatives to create awareness among building owners, and to make provisions for installing solar panels in residential buildings. It is interesting and a revolution in terms of transforming consumers of energy into producers of energy. This is the future, when it comes to protecting oneself against electricity price rises.
From Mr Vijay Vivekanandan
Dubai
We can save the world
I have started using the term ‘Ptrees’ (plant, teach, restore, encourage, establish and support) as a new formula for saving the environment. We need to plant trees wherever and whenever possible. We must also teach others the importance of the environment and how they can help save it. Let’s restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down. Do what you can to encourage people to live in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment. Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife. And lastly, support companies and organisations that operate in order to minimise damage to the environment.
From Mr Sukruth Ramesh Kumar
UAE
Two sides of a coin
The recent deregulation of petrol prices has received contentious reviews from people involved in various sections of the economy (‘Is deregulation bad or good for UAE consumers?’, Gulf News, July 24). This decision, on a broad spectrum, has its drawbacks, as does every decision. Considering the heavy dependence of industries on petrol-based vehicles for transportation of their finished goods, it might be taxing for the end consumer to pay for several products, as the prices will incline only upwards. The incremental nature of the deregulation will be the cause of some stress to residents of the UAE, as it is a policy that impacts the cost of living. There will be a burdensome cost on residents who commute long distances to their workplaces in personal vehicles.
On the other hand, the deregulation will help promote public transport by reducing the concentration of people in traffic congested routes. Looking ahead to the Expo 2020, the increased fiscal sustainability will help relieve some burden of the burgeoning expenses for the authorities. Put on a broad perspective, it will promote eco-friendly alternatives and will bolster efforts for a greener society in the long run.
From Ms Sruthi B.
Dubai
A necessary price to pay
It is extremely important for fuel prices to increase, even at the cost of inflation, as people in the UAE seem to burn fuel without any consideration towards the subsidies or the cost to the environment (‘Most expensive petrol in the world’, Gulf News, July 23). Even when people can fulfil their transportation needs with a smaller car, they end up buying bigger cars. This is not really required, especially in a place like Dubai, which has fantastic roads that are fine for any small car and, not to mention, a great public transportation system. In fact, I know of many people whose workplace is at walking distance, but they still maintain that they need to drive cars.
From Mr Murli Mohan Rao
UAE
Website comment
How countries cope
In comparing petrol prices around the world, what about countries where the petrol prices are lower than that of the UAE? Just a few quick examples can be seen in our neighbouring Gulf countries, like Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where the price of fuel is far lesser than in the UAE. Are these countries not concerned about their economy?
From Mr Rizwan Kazi
UAE
Website comment
Will companies increase pay?
The deregulation will certainly cause people to take a hit. Those who are not getting the support of petrol allowances from their workplaces, will think twice before filling their fuel tanks. Public transportation and carpooling with friends may become preferred options by many. It’s also possible that many companies will not increase salaries due to this, since they have their own policies. This increase will affect salaried people, but may also help with the traffic congestion.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Time to pull up our socks
Dubai is a highly developed city, but the deregulation of fuel prices is definitely another aspect to consider, for residents living a hectic work life. All the daily travelling from Sharjah to Dubai and vice versa is going to become more difficult, in addition to the daily traffic. Public transport is going to become all the more crowded, thus leading to an increase in the prices of the same! Therefore, as an upcoming working student, I feel it is an unavoidable situation, and time for all of us to pull up our socks.
From Ms Annie Kaur
UAE
Is compensation possible?
I appreciate Indian Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor’s debate at Oxford Union Society regarding his initiative for reparation and I hope the UK government considers it (‘Tharoor’s incisive Oxford address’, Gulf News, July 24). At the same time, I wonder if anyone can initiate reparation, as India has been deprived for centuries. Charity starts at home.
From Mr Chuttugulla
UAE
Website comment
Great president in Philippines
I don’t think it is right for Philippines President Benigno Aquino III to face flak, because this is the only president who has put the country’s most powerful politician in jail, for corruption (‘Philippines President Aquino faces flak over expenses’, Gulf News, July 24). He has also succeeded in making the Philippines’ economy stable and stronger. From 1 to 10, I rate the performance of Aquino as 10!
From Mr Jay Karlo D. Mascardo
Dubai
Facebook comment
Not a perfect man
In response to Mr Jay Karlo D. Mascardo, how can Aquino deserve a score of 100 per cent? What about the donations of Yolanda victims? So much money was spent from the government’s budget for the unconstitutional Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) proposal. Aquino is far less than 100 per cent, in my opinion.
From Mr Hernan B. Militante
Taguig City, Philippines
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