WITH the escalating propagation of the knowledge of science in many areas of life, the vitality of science journalism has grabbed considerable attention in knowledge-based societies.

Science journalism encompasses the popular non-technical description of scientific ideas regarding, for instance, how a device works or a phenomenon occurs.

This generally makes scientific findings and their implications relatively easy to digest for lay-persons.

Also, science journalists are involved in the presentation of scientific topics with special reference to the cultural and monitoring framework. Science

journalists need not only be good at understanding scientific issues, but they must also be well acquainted with the norms of professional journalism.

Globally, the field of science journalism is undergoing significant changes. In many countries, the literacy rate is either low or is dominated by superstitions due to which the approach of people is irrational regarding the perception of newer concepts, and this puts science journalists under additional pressure.

In Pakistan, science journalism is an interdisciplinary area that needs proper consideration so far as curriculum development is concerned. Students of journalism, especially those who are on the verge of completion of their studies, must be provided the option to interact with the faculty of physical and biological sciences via some existing courses, such as everyday science.

This will definitely enable budding journalists to be able to understand and express the elementary ideas underlying a scientific issue for broader public consumption.

Moreover, students of basic sciences may also be trained by the faculty of journalism in order to express scientific thoughts and complex technical matters in a readable way for larger audience.

This kind of interaction among various academic disciplines is not only important for grooming the students, but also for the faculty members who may develop a more realistic and rational approach to address various scientific issues.

Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi

ARTIFICIAL LAKES: Islamabad was lashed by a torrential rain spell recently. Gushing water near the Margalla Hills was strong enough to sweep vehicles away. At the Rawal Dam, spillways had to be opened to reduce water level in Rawal Lake. The water has now flowed into ravines that would join rivers at some point. Many countries have created artificial lakes to harvest excessive rainwater. Why can’t we replicate this easy and economical way to recharge our fast depleting water table?

Javed Hafiz
Islamabad

VACCINE EFFICACY: Coronavirus is a real threat and the government is rightly trying to get everyone vaccinated. However, it must ensure that vaccines are effective at the time of administration. There have been several cases of vaccinated persons getting infected, especially in Larkana, where, on testing some of the vaccinated individuals, many have been found with no coronavirus antibodies. The government should ensure vaccine efficacy.

Dr Mansoor Hassan
Larkana

MIYAWAKI METHOD: This is with reference to the picture of plantation campaign in Bakkakhel area of Bannu (Aug 2) which shows that the distance between each tree is about 10 feet which corresponds to four trees in 9.2 square meters. If we move to the Miyawaki method of planting two to four trees per square meter, we can plant 37 trees in the same area. The leftover area can be utilised for high-end crops.

S. Nayyar Iqbal Raza
Karachi

POLICY CHANGE: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission must seriously consider the demands being made by those sitting the Provincial Management Services examinations. The screening test should comprise all compulsory subjects, and the passing marks for each paper should be 40 per cent. Also, examination dates should be announced through advertisements in mainstream media so that there may not be any confusion among the students in this regard.

Aamir Khan Banisai
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2021