{"id":83860,"date":"2026-01-23T11:43:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T06:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=83860"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T06:13:02","slug":"daily-editorial-analysis-23-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/daily-editorial-analysis-23-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Editorial Analysis 23 January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>A Dangerous March Towards a Himalayan Ecocide<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The year 2025 marked a turning point as <strong>climate<\/strong> extremes intensified across India.<\/li>\n<li>With nearly 331 days of cascading impacts and more than 4,000 deaths, <strong>disasters<\/strong> became a near-continuous reality.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Himalayas<\/strong>, among the world\u2019s most fragile mountain systems, suffered disproportionate losses, with towns such as Dharali, Harsil, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Kullu, Mandi and Kishtwar repeatedly struck by cloudbursts, avalanches and flash <strong>floods<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>These events underscore that ecological instability is no longer episodic but structural, demanding a reassessment of how <strong>infrastructure<\/strong> is planned in sensitive regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Infrastructure Expansion in a Disaster Zone<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A central example is the Char Dham road-widening project.<\/li>\n<li>In November 2025, approval was granted to divert 43 hectares of forest land in the Dharali-Harsil region for the <strong>Char<\/strong> <strong>Dham<\/strong> project, including extensive muck dumping.<\/li>\n<li>Nearly 7,000 <strong>Devdar<\/strong> trees were marked for felling in an area already devastated by an avalanche-turned-flash flood.<\/li>\n<li>The project follows the DL-PS standard, enforcing a 12-metre-wide paved road despite repeated scientific warnings.<\/li>\n<li>Geologically, the region lies north of the Main Central Thrust, a zone where large-scale construction is discouraged due to unstable <strong>geology<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The landscape is further destabilised by hanging <strong>glaciers<\/strong>, many fed by the rapidly retreating Gangotri Glacier.<\/li>\n<li>Moraine-laden ice bodies increase the probability of slope failure, as demonstrated by the glacier avalanche that triggered the Dharali disaster.<\/li>\n<li>Proceeding with large infrastructure under such conditions reflects a failure of basic risk <strong>assessment<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Ecological Value of Devdar Forests<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The threatened <strong>forests<\/strong> perform irreplaceable ecological functions in the Himalayan landscape.<\/li>\n<li>Their deep root systems stabilise slopes, reduce erosion and significantly lower the incidence of <strong>landslides<\/strong> and debris flows.<\/li>\n<li>Removing them directly increases downstream hazard exposure.<\/li>\n<li>These forests also safeguard the upper reaches of the <strong>Ganga<\/strong>, as they fall within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.<\/li>\n<li>Their antimicrobial properties, derived from complex organic compounds, regulate riverine microbial communities and support aquatic <strong>biodiversity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>By maintaining cooler microclimates, Devdar forests regulate snowmelt-fed streams, sustain dissolved oxygen levels and preserve the river\u2019s ecological character.<\/li>\n<li>Large-scale <strong>deforestation<\/strong> would initiate irreversible changes, including higher water temperatures, reduced oxygen content and the collapse of natural self-purification processes.<\/li>\n<li>Proposals to translocate centuries-old Devdars ignore their site-specific ecological roles; uprooting them is functionally equivalent to destruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>A Project Built on Structural and Procedural Flaws<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The road-widening initiative illustrates how not to build in the Himalayas.<\/li>\n<li>Environmental safeguards were bypassed through fragmented clearances, incorrect road-width standards and destabilising vertical hill-cutting.<\/li>\n<li>Excavated debris was dumped indiscriminately into streams, compounding damage.<\/li>\n<li>The outcomes are visible along nearly 700 kilometres of roadway, where more than 800 active landslide zones now exist.<\/li>\n<li>Key routes remain frequently closed, undermining the project\u2019s promise of all-weather connectivity.<\/li>\n<li>Retrofitting slopes with bolts and wire mesh, proposed years after destabilisation began, fails to address the root problem: slopes cut beyond their natural angle of repose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Policy Contradictions and Governance Failures<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Current practices directly contradict the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, a <strong>policy<\/strong> framework designed to protect mountain <strong>ecology<\/strong>, mitigate hazards and guide sustainable livelihoods.<\/li>\n<li>This contradiction reveals systemic <strong>governance<\/strong> failures, where short-term connectivity goals override long-term safety.<\/li>\n<li>Unsafe land use, wide highways on unstable slopes, tunnels without adequate surveys and large hydropower projects, has repeatedly been flagged by regulatory bodies.<\/li>\n<li>While such activities act as immediate triggers, accelerated <strong>warming<\/strong> functions as a risk multiplier.<\/li>\n<li>High-altitude regions have warmed significantly faster than the global average, intensifying rainfall variability, glacial melt and extreme events.<\/li>\n<li>These pressures are amplified by unregulated <strong>tourism<\/strong>, unchecked traffic and the absence of carrying-capacity planning.<\/li>\n<li>Together, they erode ecological <strong>resilience<\/strong> and expose communities to escalating hazards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The continuing crisis reinforces a fundamental truth: without the Himalayas, there is no India. The range underpins water security, climate regulation and cultural continuity.<\/li>\n<li>Persisting with vulnerable models of <strong>development<\/strong> undermines national security rather than strengthening it.<\/li>\n<li>Disaster-resilient planning rooted in science, <strong>sustainability<\/strong> and accountability is not optional, it is essential.<\/li>\n<li>Failing to act ensures that loss, displacement and instability will intensify, demanding urgent <strong>accountability<\/strong> from those shaping the future of this irreplaceable landscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>A Dangerous March Towards a Himalayan Ecocide FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong> Why is the Himalayan region especially vulnerable to disasters?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong> The Himalayan region is highly vulnerable due to fragile geology, accelerating climate warming, and unsafe infrastructure development.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong> What makes Devdar forests ecologically important?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong> Devdar forests stabilise slopes, reduce landslides, and protect the ecological health of the Ganga river system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3.<\/strong> Why is the Char Dham road project considered risky?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong> The project involves excessive road widening and construction in a geologically unstable and disaster-prone zone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4.<\/strong> How does climate change intensify Himalayan disasters?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong> Climate change increases erratic rainfall, accelerates glacial melt, and magnifies the severity of extreme weather events.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5.<\/strong> What is the core governance failure highlighted in the analysis?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong> The central governance failure is prioritising short-term development over long-term ecological resilience and safety.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/a-dangerous-march-towards-a-himalayan-ecocide\/article70539107.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>BRICS India Summit Needs a Green and Resilient Agenda<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The forthcoming <strong>BRICS<\/strong> Summit to be hosted by <strong>India<\/strong> offers a critical opportunity to align national priorities with the urgent needs of the <strong>Global South<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>With the successful organisation of the G-20 Summit in 2023, India already has the infrastructure and diplomatic capacity required.<\/li>\n<li>The central challenge now lies in defining a focus that resonates across member states while addressing global developmental concerns.<\/li>\n<li>The growing <strong>climate<\/strong> crisis and the need for enhanced <strong>resilience<\/strong> provide a unifying and strategic agenda, particularly for developing countries that are disproportionately affected by climate impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The Global Context: A Leadership Vacuum in Climate Governance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Global <strong>multilateralism<\/strong> is under severe strain amid heightened geopolitical polarisation.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>United States<\/strong>, under the influence of <strong>Trump<\/strong>-era policies, has deprioritised climate action, promoted increased <strong>fossil<\/strong> fuel usage, and withdrawn from multiple international initiatives.<\/li>\n<li>This retreat has weakened global momentum on <strong>sustainability<\/strong>, especially as the U.S. has distanced itself from climate forums and institutions central to collective action.<\/li>\n<li>At the same time, European countries that previously positioned themselves as climate leaders are experiencing domestic fatigue and shifting their attention toward security and economic concerns.<\/li>\n<li>This convergence of disengagement among major developed economies has created a leadership vacuum in global climate governance.<\/li>\n<li>Within this context, BRICS has the potential to emerge as a stabilising platform capable of sustaining cooperation on climate action and development-oriented responses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>BRICS as a Platform for Collective Climate Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>While BRICS is often viewed with suspicion in Washington, India\u2019s diplomatic strength lies in its ability to balance competing interests.<\/li>\n<li>Its performance during the G-20 Summit demonstrated a capacity to navigate complex global <strong>geopolitics<\/strong> while preserving strategic autonomy through multi-alignment.<\/li>\n<li>A similar approach at the BRICS Summit can advance climate cooperation without undermining crucial bilateral relationships.<\/li>\n<li>Climate impacts affect all BRICS countries, though in diverse ways. These include risks to infrastructure, public health, ecosystems, and livelihoods across varied geographies.<\/li>\n<li>Such shared vulnerabilities strengthen the case for collective action focused on <strong>adaptation<\/strong>, <strong>equity<\/strong>, and sustainable <strong>development<\/strong>, ensuring that climate responses do not constrain growth prospects for developing economies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Reinforcing and Expanding Climate Coalitions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Within the <strong>UNFCCC<\/strong>, groupings such as <strong>BASIC<\/strong> have historically played a vital role in articulating developing country concerns.<\/li>\n<li>However, the expanded BRICS grouping brings greater political and economic weight, enabling stronger coordination among major developing nations.<\/li>\n<li>This collective influence has already proven effective in safeguarding development priorities during recent climate negotiations.<\/li>\n<li>Several BRICS members have also played key roles in sustaining the global climate process in the post-Paris Agreement period by presiding over major climate conferences.<\/li>\n<li>Additionally, BRICS can provide a coordinated response to unilateral measures that bypass multilateral principles, particularly those that link climate policy with trade restrictions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Climate Finance: The Central Enabler<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Access to adequate <strong>finance<\/strong> remains the cornerstone of effective climate action.<\/li>\n<li>The BRICS Leaders\u2019 Framework Declaration on Climate Finance adopted in 2025 underscored the urgency of mobilising resources for developing countries.<\/li>\n<li>India has consistently emphasised that climate commitments must be matched by financial support that reflects historical responsibilities and present capacities.<\/li>\n<li>Meaningful progress in this area requires engagement beyond BRICS institutions such as the <strong>New Development Bank<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Inclusion of the <strong>World Bank<\/strong> and the <strong>IMF<\/strong> is essential, given their central role in global financial flows.<\/li>\n<li>Treating these institutions as external or exclusive to developed blocs would limit the effectiveness of any climate finance strategy.<\/li>\n<li>This engagement is particularly important in light of declining private-sector interest in climate-related investments, including <strong>ESG<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>India\u2019s Strategic and Geopolitical Opportunity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The expanded BRICS grouping now represents a significant share of the global population, economic output, and trade flows.<\/li>\n<li>As chair, India is uniquely positioned to shape a collective agenda that prioritises climate <strong>resilience<\/strong> and inclusive growth.<\/li>\n<li>Such leadership would reinforce India\u2019s global standing while addressing the pressing vulnerabilities of developing nations.<\/li>\n<li>Geopolitically, a strong BRICS-led climate initiative also serves to balance competing ambitions, particularly those of <strong>China<\/strong>, in shaping the global climate <strong>leadership<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>By advancing a development-centric <strong>green<\/strong> agenda that emphasises resilience and cooperation, India can ensure that climate action remains inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the long-term interests of the Global South.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The upcoming BRICS Summit represents a strategic moment for India to influence the trajectory of global climate governance.<\/li>\n<li>By foregrounding resilience and inclusive development, India can position BRICS as a stabilising force amid global uncertainty, strengthen cooperation among developing nations.<\/li>\n<li>India\u2019s leadership can also contribute to a more balanced and sustainable international order, one that integrates climate action with growth, equity, and <strong>trade<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>BRICS India Summit Needs a Green and Resilient Agenda FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong> Why is climate resilience an appropriate focus for the BRICS Summit hosted by India?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Climate resilience addresses the shared vulnerabilities of the Global South and aligns with India\u2019s leadership on inclusive and sustainable development.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong> How has global climate governance been weakened in recent years?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>Global climate governance has weakened due to reduced commitment by major powers, geopolitical polarisation, and declining multilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3. <\/strong>What role can BRICS play in the current international climate landscape?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>BRICS can act as a stabilising platform that sustains collective climate action and protects development priorities of emerging economies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4. <\/strong>Why is climate finance central to effective climate action for developing countries?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>Climate finance enables adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building without constraining economic growth in developing nations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5.<\/strong> How does India benefit geopolitically from leading a BRICS climate agenda?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>India strengthens its global leadership, balances competing powers, and advances the interests of the Global South through cooperative climate diplomacy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/brics-india-summit-needs-a-green-and-resilient-agenda\/article70539161.ece#:~:text=A%20chance%20for%20Indian%20to%20drive%20change&amp;text=Moreover%2C%20geopolitically%20for%20India%2C%20a,host%20of%20COP32%20in%202027.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daily Editorial Analysis 23 January 2026 by Vajiram &#038; Ravi covers key editorials from The Hindu &#038; Indian Express with UPSC-focused insights and relevance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[141,882,909],"class_list":{"0":"post-83860","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-daily-editorial-analysis","8":"tag-daily-editorial-analysis","9":"tag-the-hindu-editorial-analysis","10":"tag-the-indian-express-analysis","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83860\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}