At a unique event held recently in Tehri district, women of Bugala village were honoured as chief guests by their community at the traditional harvest festival known as Ropani.
In a sobering assessment released this week, the United Nations has painted a complex portrait of Afghanistan under Taliban governance, where a dramatic increase in security incidents coincides with fragile stability, devastating cross-border violence with Pakistan, and a deepening humanitarian and human rights crisis.
The persistence of illegal hunting and trade underscores a tension between traditional practices, economic necessity, and modern conservation imperatives.
The UN experts concluded that ending forced conversions and child marriages is essential for safeguarding human rights and ensuring equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of religion.
Experts argue that investment in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and transport infrastructure could help improve export performance and reduce dependence on imports.
The report underscores persistent questions about accountability for civilian harm. Related reporting on the region has highlighted ongoing challenges in post-conflict justice and the human costs of prolonged international military engagement.
While natural climate variability such as El Niño plays a role, the background warming linked to climate change adds to the heat available to these systems.