Governance

As of mid-December, authorities reported 643 deaths and 183 people still missing. More than 107,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, making shelter one of the most urgent needs.

For a nation of nearly 90 million people, the limits of traditional water management have been laid bare. Whether Iran’s new strategies can avert wider social and ecological breakdown remains a central question for policymakers, communities, and neighbouring countries alike.

Experts caution that timely implementation, effective supervision and coordination among agencies will be key to ensuring project success. Nepal’s road sector has historically faced challenges related to delays, cost overruns and difficult terrain.

The transition of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy from a seasonal anti-pollution measure to a permanent, year-round mandate marks one of the most ambitious steps taken by the Delhi government in its fight against vehicular emissions.

As India’s financial and material aid begins to flow into rebuilding efforts across Sri Lanka, the focus has gradually shifted from emergency response to sustainable reconstruction and resilience building.

Experts warn that without addressing underlying causes – including deforestation, corridor fragmentation and climate pressures – human–wildlife conflict will continue to strain India’s conservation gains. Conservation advocates argue that coexistence frameworks must align ecological priorities with local needs, fostering safe practices while safeguarding biodiversity.

International development partners, including the World Bank, have also entered the picture with initiatives designed to boost jobs and trade, although such efforts are longer-term in nature and their impact on immediate job creation is still unfolding.

Experts argue that meeting Nepal’s 2045 net-zero target and Sustainable Development Goal 7 – affordable and clean energy for all – will require a fundamental rethink of biogas policy.