News

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.

International human rights organisations have urged Dhaka to adopt urgent measures to curb hate speech, bolster protections for journalists, and prosecute individuals involved in mob violence.

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.

Critics from environmental organisations and civil society have described the current legal interpretation as a “simplification that fails to respect the Aravallis’ complex ecology”, warning that it could gradually weaken the shield that the mountain system provides against desertification, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.

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.

Nepal’s efforts are guided by the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act of 2007, which imposes up to 20 years’ imprisonment for offenders.