TOUGH LESSONS

It refers to “Indian Railways orders safety drive on signalling systems; train services resume.” One important step that Indian Railways must take now is to seek consultation from Japan, which has successfully operated Shinkansen (Bullet trains) for many years without any major accidents in nearly six decades. It is evident that this incident occurred either due to gross human error or some form of sabotage. Therefore, we cannot take any chances, and our signalling system must be completely fool proof. Regarding the CBI investigation, it will only be beneficial if conducted within a specific timeframe to uncover the truth.

— BAL GOVIND, NOIDA via email

SAVE THE BIRDS

In the north Karnataka region, little Ashy crowned sparrows and brown shrike sparrows build their nests in the houses of villages. Climate change has already caused a decline in their population across north Karnataka. However, this is not the sole threat they face. Mercury pollution, particularly from power plants in North Karnataka, is deposited into our soil and water, and can reach the habitat of the little Ashy crowned sparrows and brown shrike sparrows, forming toxic methylmercury. This substance enters the birds’ bloodstream through their food supply, negatively impacting the survival of their nests. The Environmental and Forest Ministry should strengthen and update the Mercury and

Air Toxics Standards for power plants. Otherwise, methylmercury will not only affect sparrows but also other wildlife species’ reproduction, growth and development, behaviour, immune response, and overall survival.

— VIJAY KUMAR HK, RAICHUR via email