I cannot understand how and why the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) sanctions and approves the annual shooting of birds. I am not against bird shooting per se. It is the sport of our lowly kings and fox hunting for our gentry. I am against the annual shooting of birds, however. Simply, the birds need a break.

less and less

In times gone by we would watch birds in abundance flying from the mangroves into the hills in the mornings and, on their return, to roost at night. We see less of this and, in some places we don't see this anymore. Yet, NEPA would have us believe that our stock of birds is not depleting.

To be frank, I am yet to understand the true function and purpose of NEPA. To my mind it is yet another toothless agency that caters especially to the higher-ups in our society - bearing in mind that most and the majority of poor people cannot afford to participate in bird-shooting.

I believe this agency, like the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (aka the Passport Office), is another revenue collecting agency that ensures the paying of salaries to a few individuals and that's as far as it goes. NEPA, as it currently operates, is not good for wildlife or the environment.

I am, etc.,

AUTHNEL REID

authnelreid@optonline.net

Middlesex, New Jersey