Month: August 2010

Adopt a zoo animal scheme – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010

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My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010 – Adopt a zoo animal scheme

The Al Ain Zoo is working to reintroduce the nearly extinct Scimitar Horned Oryx. A reader suggests an adopt-an- animal scheme to help maintain zoo facilities. Andrew Henderson / The National (photo courtesy : THE NATIONAL)

My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010 – Adopt a zoo animal scheme

The UAE has some world-class zoo facilities available for residents to enjoy wildlife not normally seen in this region. It requires great effort and finance to maintain them. It would be a good idea to introduce an “Adopt an animal” scheme at the UAE zoos, especially in Dubai and Al Ain. Specified amounts can be set and individuals and organisations can then adopt an animal for a day, a week or a year according to their means.

This will provide financial assistance for their upkeep to help better maintain the facilities and the animals. It would also generate greater involvement among the public to visit them often. For schools and children in particular, it would open up an enriched way to know more about wildlife and nature.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2010, The National.

Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public

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Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public

Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon said he was startled to come across a group of people drinking alcohol in a public park. He said: ” I call for more vigilance and increased community policing…” Image Credit: Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader

Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public

As a passionate photographer, I love to explore the Capital city during the serene early hours of Friday and Saturday. As usual, I set out one morning at 7.30am and there were some activities awaiting my attention in the park at the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

As soon as I reached the location, a small hill surrounded by green fencing, I spotted a group of people in one corner sitting and talking. There were bottles scattered in front of them and one person was pouring something into a plastic container. I understood very clearly what they were doing from their behaviour.

As I moved around and continued clicking, I found myself back in the same spot after an hour and they were still progressing with their activities.

From the bold way in which this group of people openly drank alcohol at 8.30am, I felt that this was not the first time they had done it.

They may have had a steady supply of alcohol from someone nearby, or they would not have found such a convenient place and time to indulge in the practice. When I looked around, I saw families scattered around the park, and children playing in groups and by themselves, away from their families.

Fearful thoughts came to my mind. I remember the sad plight of young children I read about in the news, who had been abducted or molested.

This particular group soon reached an inebriated state and started drinking directly from the bottle. As I walked away, I saw them throwing and shattering the empty bottles on a nearby lamp post.

I strongly feel that this is not a one-off incident. Effective control measures are needed. I call for more vigilance and increased community policing in public parks and beaches during morning hours and evenings.

— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Reports, Community Service, Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2010.