22 Apr 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

Editorial 1: Terror on the road

The context

• In another spectre of violence in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), five soldiers were killed and another critically injured in a terror attack recently in the Rajouri Poonch Sector, close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu division. The attack also came at a time when J&K is working diligently to host a G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, in May.
   

India and Pakistan

• India and Pakistan share linguistic, cultural, geographical, and economic links but due to political and historical reasons, the two share a complex relationship. 

• The India-Pakistan relations are one of the most complex associations that India shares with any of its neighboring countries.
• In spite of the many contentious issues, India and Pakistan have made significant strides in reducing the “trust deficit” over the past few years.
• In keeping with its “Neighbourhood First Policy”, India desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan.
• India’s consistent position is that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.
• The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive environment.
• It has been made clear that India will not compromise on issues relating to national security and will take firm and decisive steps to deal with all attempts to undermine India’s security and territorial integrity.

Areas of Conflict Between the two Countries:

1. Cross-border Terrorism:  Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remains a core concern in bilateral relations
2. Indus Waters Treaty:  The IWT was signed by the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then-Pakistani President Ayub Khan. Brokered by the World Bank had been a bone of contention between the two countries.
3. Trade and Commerce: Apart from providing MFN status and reduction of 30% in its SAFTA Sensitive List for non-Least Developed Countries of SAFTA, Pakistan continued to follow a restrictive trade policy toward India.
4. People-to-People Relations: There are 275 Indians, including fishermen presently believed to be in Pakistan’s custody.  Pakistan has not responded despite repeated reminders.
5. The Kashmir issue: This is one of the most sensitive issues between India and Pakistan and has been a major cause of the sour relations the two countries share.
6. China Factor: China, who has always considered Pakistan as its younger brother, has always helped it by providing it with the military, economic and technical assistance thereby sharing a common objective to prevent India’s rise.

Way forward

• Half a decade has passed since the severe breakdown of India-Pakistan relations. Today, Pakistan is embroiled in an internal crisis that needs a savior.  These acute regional crises have increased India’s space for maneuvering in South Asia. 
•  In the critical scenario where China is withdrawing its immediate, if not absolute, interest from the region, India should not exclude Pakistan in its ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy
• It can afford to take constructive diplomacy and chances with a “forward-looking strategy”.  It will send a message that India is not acting hegemonic but instead is cooperative even with a staunch adversary, to other South Asian states.
• Terrorism is one of the pertinent issues of South Asia which cannot be resolved without having a regional dialogue with Pakistan, a “sorcerer’s apprentice” of terrorism.
• Since both countries are nuclear capable therefore cost of conflict will be very high, nothing short of mutually assured destruction. In this light, role of soft diplomacy can be the solution to  establish peace between India and Pakistan

Conclusion

• India needs to rethink its Kashmir strategy and attitude to Pakistan as maintaining stability in the South Asian region is in India’s interest. Moreover, engaging with Pakistan will give India a geographical way to resume its engagement with Afghanistan and resource-rich Central Asian states. And at last, extending a hand to Pakistan will provide an opportunity to India to balance China’s expansionist policy, which has become obvious since the Galwan crisis. 

Editorial 2: Botanical gardens and life on earth

Introduction

• Humanity has had a long association with gardens ever since man learned to cultivate plants more than 11,000 years ago, marking the dawn of agriculture. On this Earth Day (April 22), we should emphasize Botanical gardens as an important and integral part of our ecosystems.

About Botanical Gardens

• A botanical garden is a garden that contains a wide variety of plant species typically dedicated to plant research, cultivation, preservation, and display.
• It is an important ex-situ mode of conservation.
• India has a diverse range of plant species as one of the world's mega-biodiversity countries has approximately 200,000 living plants recorded in the accessions of these gardens.

Purpose of Botanical Gardens

• To research plant taxonomy and growth.
• To research the introduction and acclimatization of exotic plants.
• It aids in the creation of new hybrids.
• It contributes to the conservation of rare and threatened species.
• Serve as germplasm banks or gene pools for wild relatives of economically important plants.
• Create nature centres and youth museums to draw attention to the destruction of tropical and temperate ecosystems, as well as environmental degradation.
• Allowing them to communicate the importance of plant conservation to a wide range of audiences.
• Linking plants to human well-being, as well as assisting in the conservation of indigenous and local knowledge.
• To encourage the sustainable use of plant resources for the benefit of all, as part of sustainable development.

Flaws in Indian Botanical Gardens

1. Indian botanical gardens lack wider perspective of plant exploration and education programmes.
2. Limited knowledge of our vast botanical heritage is yet another lacunae.
3. Our scientific and educational institutions have neglected many aspects of plant biology such as taxonomy, ecology, evolution, plant animal and plant mycorrhizal interactions, population ecology and stress biology etc.
4. Natural hazards like soil erosion also puts them in danger.

Conclusion

• In this era of climate change and declining biodiversity, we need every inch of our backyards and elsewhere to nurture native plants and associated living organisms, to remind ourselves and the generations to come of the need to heal our earth through the power of plants.