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Editorials
]COP 15 and the climate-biodiversity link
While climate summits attract political, public, and media attention (rightly so), biodiversity summits have failed to garner the attention they deserve. This is unfortunate because both issues are inter-connected: Healthy ecosystems make better carbon sinks to absorb CO2 pollution, and these, in turn, are vital to keep global warming down to acceptable levels.
![India’s sixth national report (in 2018) claimed that the country is on track to achieve its biodiversity targets. But several experts have pointed out that large-scale diversion of forest land for development and national security purposes will have a deep impact. (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times) India’s sixth national report (in 2018) claimed that the country is on track to achieve its biodiversity targets. But several experts have pointed out that large-scale diversion of forest land for development and national security purposes will have a deep impact. (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/11/550x309/b83b1a9c-2a74-11ec-a2ce-f0c64477ba97_1633944304304.jpg)
Updated on Oct 11, 2021 03:12 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Batten down the hatches
India must strengthen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific to stand up to China’s belligerent stand on Line of Actual Control
![The stance adopted by Beijing on the LAC standoff fits in with the belligerence on display in China’s other disputes, ranging from trade differences with the United States and Australia to the unusually large incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO) The stance adopted by Beijing on the LAC standoff fits in with the belligerence on display in China’s other disputes, ranging from trade differences with the United States and Australia to the unusually large incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/11/150x84/c6e2e194-2a6d-11ec-a2ce-f0c64477ba97_1633941244150.jpg)
Updated on Oct 11, 2021 03:09 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Air India: The right reform
The sale of AI is good for the government, the consumer, and possibly for the Tatas because, free of much of its debt, AI, even in its present shape, may well turn in an operational profit
![AI has a challenging flight ahead, but it will help that it is being piloted by a group that has repeatedly demonstrated that it has both the heart and the head for business (Hindustan Times) AI has a challenging flight ahead, but it will help that it is being piloted by a group that has repeatedly demonstrated that it has both the heart and the head for business (Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/10/150x84/36350caa-29d0-11ec-8390-9108a6051a41_1633873618171.jpg)
Updated on Oct 10, 2021 07:23 PM IST
By HT Editorial
A shot in the arm for NGT and citizens
The Supreme Court said the National Green Tribunal does have suo moto powers and can take up environmental issues on its own
![The court was considering a batch of appeals on whether NGT has the power to take notice of press reports or even seek a response from the State on preventing environmental damage without any application being filed before it (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO) The court was considering a batch of appeals on whether NGT has the power to take notice of press reports or even seek a response from the State on preventing environmental damage without any application being filed before it (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/10/150x84/5e3e60b2-29cf-11ec-8390-9108a6051a41_1633873318077.jpg)
Updated on Oct 10, 2021 07:16 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The killings in Kashmir
India has a hard task ahead. Boost security, nab terrorists, ensure communal peace. Figure out a Kashmir strategy that combines democracy, dignity, and rights for all
![Relatives of ML Bindroo mourn his death at his residence in Srinagar, October 6, 2021. Bindroo was shot dead Tuesday evening near his shop by militants (PTI) Relatives of ML Bindroo mourn his death at his residence in Srinagar, October 6, 2021. Bindroo was shot dead Tuesday evening near his shop by militants (PTI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/08/150x84/9161c4a6-284a-11ec-b7f8-760cd0963677_1633706362731.jpg)
Updated on Oct 08, 2021 08:50 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Formulating a robust forest conservation law
On October 2, the Union government released a consultation paper on amending the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980. Environmentalists have criticised it on various grounds. These are serious criticisms, and for formulating a robust forest law, the government must address them before moving further.
![States, civil society, and local communities should have been allowed reasonable time to analyse this document since any change in forests laws will have a far-reaching impact on society and the environment (HT Photo) States, civil society, and local communities should have been allowed reasonable time to analyse this document since any change in forests laws will have a far-reaching impact on society and the environment (HT Photo)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/07/150x84/703db5c6-2757-11ec-8390-9108a6051a41_1633601881366.jpg)
Updated on Oct 07, 2021 03:57 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Where Delhi and DC agree, disagree
Strategic imperatives bind the two nations. The government has taken a political risk in deepening ties with DC. Washington must not export its own battles with Moscow to the Indian theatre and it must keep an eye on the bigger challenge.
![The frequency of high-level engagement between India and the United States (US) is remarkable. Both countries, of course, have a lot to talk about — from trade to tech, defence to democratic values, climate to Covid-19 (AP) The frequency of high-level engagement between India and the United States (US) is remarkable. Both countries, of course, have a lot to talk about — from trade to tech, defence to democratic values, climate to Covid-19 (AP)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/07/150x84/681531ca-274e-11ec-8390-9108a6051a41_1633598101192.jpg)
Updated on Oct 07, 2021 02:52 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The diversity of the Indian economy
Some sectors are thriving, with supply-side issues; other sectors are struggling, due to a demand crunch
![Given the fact that MPC itself has been consistently flagging the weakness of aggregate demand, it is a little surprising that excess demand can also trigger inflation (Ramesh Pathania) Given the fact that MPC itself has been consistently flagging the weakness of aggregate demand, it is a little surprising that excess demand can also trigger inflation (Ramesh Pathania)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/06/150x84/3f61ba76-26a6-11ec-9d0a-2107028cb826_1633525853923.jpg)
Updated on Oct 06, 2021 06:53 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Air pollution: Frame a joint response
The Centre, Delhi and neighbouring states must figure out a joint response to help farmers stop stubble burning
![With upcoming assembly elections in Punjab, and the farmer agitation still continuing, penalising farmers for burning stubble can be politically costly (Hindustan Times) With upcoming assembly elections in Punjab, and the farmer agitation still continuing, penalising farmers for burning stubble can be politically costly (Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/06/150x84/cd8ca970-26a4-11ec-9d0a-2107028cb826_1633525852591.jpg)
Updated on Oct 06, 2021 06:53 PM IST
By HT Editorial
When Facebook crashed
The Facebook outage is a reminder of the fragility of the digital ecosystem, which in past decades has seen power increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few.
![Reports said the outage was so sweeping that it locked Facebook’s employees out of their company mails, the office messaging applications and even from the office building as their key cards stopped working. (AFP) Reports said the outage was so sweeping that it locked Facebook’s employees out of their company mails, the office messaging applications and even from the office building as their key cards stopped working. (AFP)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/05/150x84/898595c2-25c6-11ec-97ad-def1feb12b09_1633430053032.jpg)
Updated on Oct 05, 2021 04:25 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The two-finger test: A gross injustice
The test involves a doctor inserting two fingers in the vagina to detect if the hymen is present, to test the vagina’s size and laxity, and the sexual history of the victim — all of which are completely irrelevant in a case of sexual assault
![This case is representative of the gross injustice meted out to victims of sexual assault for several reasons (Deepak Sansta/Hindustan Times) This case is representative of the gross injustice meted out to victims of sexual assault for several reasons (Deepak Sansta/Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/04/150x84/f7a9671c-251d-11ec-861b-89d0f4ae1a0f_1633357266850.jpg)
Updated on Oct 04, 2021 07:54 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Lakhimpur Kheri: The cauldron boils over
Hold those guilty of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence accountable. Reach out to farmers. If there is a time for statesmanship to resolve this issue, it is now
![The politics around the killings will only intensify as UP, India’s most populous, and electorally most significant, state heads for polls early next year (PTI) The politics around the killings will only intensify as UP, India’s most populous, and electorally most significant, state heads for polls early next year (PTI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/04/150x84/2893e65a-251d-11ec-861b-89d0f4ae1a0f_1633364887384.jpg)
Updated on Oct 04, 2021 09:58 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Farm laws: The onus is on the SC
With elections due early next year in two states whose farmers are part of the protests, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, it is unlikely that a political solution to the crisis will be found before mid-2022, if then. The SC would do well to resume hearing petitions challenging the legality of the farm laws — it is among the important cases, including the challenges to the abrogation of Article 370 and on electoral bonds pending before it — and, for starters, perhaps convert its observations on blocked roads into an order.
![Farmers block both carriageways during the 12-hour “Bharat Bandh”, Ghazipur border, New Delhi, March 26, 2021 (Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times) Farmers block both carriageways during the 12-hour “Bharat Bandh”, Ghazipur border, New Delhi, March 26, 2021 (Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/03/150x84/e9582bb4-242b-11ec-af35-856765b9d9af_1633253216457.jpg)
Updated on Oct 03, 2021 03:05 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Waste management: Push the 4R principle
While significant investment is necessary in collecting and transporting solid waste, as SBM 2.0 promises to do, it is important that the government and civil society push the concept of refuse-reduce-reuse-recycle much harder. This is not a new concept for India; it needs to be refreshed and popularised among citizens for a sustainable and waste-free future.
![According to 2020 data, 147,613 metric tonnes of solid waste is generated per day, from 84,475 wards. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO) According to 2020 data, 147,613 metric tonnes of solid waste is generated per day, from 84,475 wards. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/03/150x84/36f72976-242a-11ec-af35-856765b9d9af_1633252616445.jpg)
Updated on Oct 03, 2021 02:58 PM IST
By HT Editorial
How to tackle erratic monsoon
Recent years have indicated that the patchiness or unevenness of even a normal monsoon is now a trend, not an aberration. Climate science bears this out — the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report specifically mentions erratic monsoons. Better forecasts, climate crisis-mitigating tech, and new crop varieties are the need of the hour
![A quick summary of this year’s monsoon will read thus: Early onset; a wet June; a dry July; a drier August (usually the rainiest month); a very wet September; no depressions over the Bay of Bengal between June and August; three breaks in the monsoon; and more instances of heavy and extreme rainfall than in recent years (PTI) A quick summary of this year’s monsoon will read thus: Early onset; a wet June; a dry July; a drier August (usually the rainiest month); a very wet September; no depressions over the Bay of Bengal between June and August; three breaks in the monsoon; and more instances of heavy and extreme rainfall than in recent years (PTI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/10/01/150x84/6ef8c794-229a-11ec-af35-856765b9d9af_1633082734271.jpg)
Updated on Oct 01, 2021 03:37 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Why the BJP is smiling today
The churn in the Opposition suits the BJP’s narrative of Narendra Modi as a stable hand at the wheel for 2024
![The BJP’s voters — and even those voters who are disillusioned with the BJP — ask a simple question. If not Narendra Modi, then who? (REUTERS) The BJP’s voters — and even those voters who are disillusioned with the BJP — ask a simple question. If not Narendra Modi, then who? (REUTERS)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/30/150x84/15c4b758-21fc-11ec-bb55-2fb9e639f35f_1633017875631.jpg)
Updated on Sep 30, 2021 09:35 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The contours of the new midday meal scheme
The extension of the scheme to pre-primary students and the development of nutritional gardens can help enhance children’s mental and physical growth
![A well-resourced and properly implemented PM-POSHAN can be a crucial lifeline for their children (PTI) A well-resourced and properly implemented PM-POSHAN can be a crucial lifeline for their children (PTI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/30/150x84/804ca3f6-21fc-11ec-bb55-2fb9e639f35f_1633013008900.jpg)
Updated on Sep 30, 2021 08:14 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Rethink fuel prices — it is a negative stimulus
To be sure, both the Centre and the states are gaining a fiscal windfall from taxes on fuel. In the interest of a sustainable economic revival and preventing inflation and, more importantly, keeping inflation expectations from increasing further, both the Union government and the states must agree to reduce taxes.
![Fuel prices are already at a record high in India. If crude prices were to rise further, oil companies are likely to raise fuel prices, and headline inflation will start rising once again. This is bound to hurt purchasing power and mass demand. It will also generate headwinds for the ongoing economic recovery. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO) Fuel prices are already at a record high in India. If crude prices were to rise further, oil companies are likely to raise fuel prices, and headline inflation will start rising once again. This is bound to hurt purchasing power and mass demand. It will also generate headwinds for the ongoing economic recovery. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/29/150x84/b84395ee-2111-11ec-bc30-10e4c85a206c_1632912200005.jpg)
Published on Sep 29, 2021 04:13 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The ideological battles
Will the Opposition take the Bharatiya Janata Party on from a centre-Right or centre-Left position? This ideological confusion in the Opposition is both a sign of BJP’s hegemony and perhaps explains the failure to challenge it.
![Ideological categories are hard to define in Indian politics. The traditional Left-Right binary doesn’t work. Given the inequities in Indian society, no party in India can afford to be against welfare. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO) Ideological categories are hard to define in Indian politics. The traditional Left-Right binary doesn’t work. Given the inequities in Indian society, no party in India can afford to be against welfare. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/29/150x84/dba5ba10-210e-11ec-bc30-10e4c85a206c_1632910999939.jpg)
Updated on Sep 29, 2021 04:07 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The incoherence in the Congress
Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation is a classic example of flawed decision-making of the high command of the Congress party
![They first decided that Captain Amarinder Singh would not be able to lead the party to victory in 2022 and appointed his arch-rival Navjot Singh Sidhu as party president They first decided that Captain Amarinder Singh would not be able to lead the party to victory in 2022 and appointed his arch-rival Navjot Singh Sidhu as party president](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/28/150x84/abfe2b68-2063-11ec-a983-e483dc519f3b_1632837900528.jpg)
Updated on Sep 28, 2021 07:37 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Germany’s political churn is significant
In Germany, a closely contested election has seen the Social Democrats (SPD) pull marginally ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
![In Germany, a closely contested election has seen the Social Democrats (SPD) pull marginally ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) (AFP) In Germany, a closely contested election has seen the Social Democrats (SPD) pull marginally ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) (AFP)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/28/150x84/826e30d0-2064-11ec-a983-e483dc519f3b_1632837899379.jpg)
Updated on Sep 28, 2021 07:37 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The future of global tech
Following their first in-person summit in Washington, Quad countries — Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US) — announced a set of principles that will guide how they design, develop, govern and use technology
![Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Washington DC, 2021 (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Washington DC, 2021 (ANI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/27/150x84/008a98ae-1f85-11ec-a1d1-084c70c8551e_1632741824984.jpg)
Published on Sep 27, 2021 04:53 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The battle within the Opposition space
As other parties smell the Congress’s weaknesses, they are attempting to fill the vacuum — be it in the form of the steady election campaign the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is running in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa or the TMC’s attempt to poach disgruntled Congress leaders in a bid to unite them under a federal umbrella or in the form of movements (for instance, the farm agitation) setting the narrative on an issue.
![As other parties smell the Congress’s weaknesses, they are attempting to fill the vacuum. All of this may create momentum for the Opposition, but it also highlights the contradictions within. Managing these will perhaps be as critical as fighting the battle with the political hegemon. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO) As other parties smell the Congress’s weaknesses, they are attempting to fill the vacuum. All of this may create momentum for the Opposition, but it also highlights the contradictions within. Managing these will perhaps be as critical as fighting the battle with the political hegemon. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/27/150x84/40fda10c-1f84-11ec-a1d1-084c70c8551e_1632741524871.jpg)
Updated on Sep 27, 2021 07:40 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The right to sit must be the beginning
The lack of access to seating works as a strong impediment to women’s participation in India’s workforce
![While granting workers the right to sit is a positive move, India has a long way to go (Representative Image) (AFP via Getty Images) While granting workers the right to sit is a positive move, India has a long way to go (Representative Image) (AFP via Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/26/150x84/44463e12-1ecd-11ec-8752-7a8d4023984b_1632666040112.jpg)
Updated on Sep 26, 2021 07:53 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The message from Modi’s visit
The India-US strategic relationship remains robust, Quad is here to stay and there is clarity about the challenge
![The extent of how far the grouping will move in the military domain is unclear (ANI) The extent of how far the grouping will move in the military domain is unclear (ANI)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/26/150x84/807df6fe-1e00-11ec-ae50-abd98c7f1c20_1632666038127.jpg)
Updated on Sep 26, 2021 07:52 PM IST
By HT Editorial
2021: Focus on census, not caste
Given India’s multiple challenges at the moment, the Centre is right about moving ahead with the 2021 census, without caste enumeration
![This newspaper, while recognising the historic discrimination faced by marginalised communities on the axis of caste, believes that a caste census will only reinforce the politics of identity (Sambit Saha/HT Archive) This newspaper, while recognising the historic discrimination faced by marginalised communities on the axis of caste, believes that a caste census will only reinforce the politics of identity (Sambit Saha/HT Archive)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/24/150x84/0bbccb0c-1d41-11ec-8752-7a8d4023984b_1632493088295.jpg)
Updated on Sep 24, 2021 07:50 PM IST
By HT Editorial
In poll-bound states, the challenge for the Congress
In Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand, the party faces stiff challenges ahead of the next year’s assembly elections. To be taken seriously in 2024, the Congress needs to get 2022 right.
![To be taken seriously in 2024, the Congress needs to get 2022 right. (Hindustan Times) To be taken seriously in 2024, the Congress needs to get 2022 right. (Hindustan Times)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/23/150x84/3e79b91a-1c74-11ec-8752-7a8d4023984b_1632407697786.jpg)
Updated on Sep 23, 2021 08:27 PM IST
By HT Editorial
The battle against air pollution
The World Health Organization’s new metric on pollution levels highlights the scale of India’s challenge. India must focus on cleaning up its power, industry, and transport sectors, set up interim targets, and plan a more nuanced regional approach to provide the clean air to its citizens.
![Signature Bridge engulfed in a thick layer of haze, Wazirabad, New Delhi, October 23, 2020 (Amal KS/HT PHOTO) Signature Bridge engulfed in a thick layer of haze, Wazirabad, New Delhi, October 23, 2020 (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/23/150x84/77e8e83e-1c73-11ec-8752-7a8d4023984b_1632407696505.jpg)
Updated on Sep 23, 2021 08:28 PM IST
By HT Editorial
Assam’s quest for rhino conservation
In the face of the poaching challenge, the Assam government’s decision to publicly burn horns sends out a strong message that the body part has no commercial and medicinal value, and that India values its wildlife heritage
![Despite the international ban on rhino horn trade since 1977, extensive illegal trade persists through Asia (AP) Despite the international ban on rhino horn trade since 1977, extensive illegal trade persists through Asia (AP)](http://web.archive.org./web/20211011131846im_/https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/09/22/150x84/934e4782-1bb4-11ec-aac4-f7ba3fdff91f_1632322836797.jpg)
Updated on Sep 22, 2021 08:31 PM IST
By HT Editorial