The Editor, Sir:

To my disgust and disappointment, there appeared in the newspapers the usual annual notice of the bird-shooting season in Jamaica. Tragically and strangely, this notice is put out by NEPA, which is supposed to stand for 'National Environment and Planning Agency'. Whatever they are planning for the environment in putting out this notice, it can't be good.

Does Jamaica not have one of the highest rates of deforestation in the entire world? Do our poor helpless birds not have the hurricane season to contend with now as well as being shot? Are these not adult human beings who are shooting the embattled birds for what is referred to as a 'sport'? Who is out there with them watching what they shoot and how many, and who have licences? They must go buy chickens in the supermarket. They must shoot at skeets, and other non-living targets that are provided for them to prove their marksmanship.

When are we going to understand the state Jamaica is in environmentally, and that it cannot support this senseless and brutal form of sport any more? We are too small to have our natural resources and wildlife destroyed in this way, or any other.

Nature being destroyed

Come down Jesus, and look at us today! Nature is being deliberately ravaged and destroyed for the advantage and pleasure of a few not only with the ridiculous bird shooting, but with the illegal sand-mining, the NEPA-sanctioned destruction and pollution of our beaches and coastlines by huge foreign concrete monstrosities, dying and disappearing coral reefs, and our forests and wildlife are being obliterated. Which government cares enough or has enough common sense and perception of even the near future to stop this destruction? I wonder if such a government could ever exist that would truly put Jamaica first, and save its life for future generations.

I am, etc.,

L. DUPERRPOUZEL

Kingston 10