Features

One of the starkest examples is Imja Lake in Nepal’s Everest region. Until the 1960s, it was only a relatively small pool of meltwater high in the mountains.

As Kinnaur’s Deodhars stand sentinel, their rings urge action. Reforestation with drought-resilient natives, slope-stabilizing terracing, and AI-driven monitoring could blunt the edge. Community-led early warnings, drawing on local lore, might save lives where tech lags.

Consumer confusion exacerbates the issue. In the US, 6 per cent of waste – 3 billion pounds worth $7 billion – stems from misreading labels like “Sell by” (for retailers) or “Best if used by” (peak quality), prompting premature discards of safe food.

As protests grow, human rights defenders are calling on Pakistan’s new administration to take immediate steps.

Climate researchers warn that Pakistan has little time left. Without decisive action, disasters of the magnitude seen in 2022 and 2025 could become regular events.

Indian agricultural scientists say the new AI-based model needs to be developed further, to provide the most useful data for all those who need it.

The report calls for the government and industry joining hands to strengthen social protection, enforce labour laws, and support climate adaptation.

Nepal ranks among the world's most disaster-prone nations, with agriculture employing 64 per cent of the workforce and contributing 21 per cent to GDP.