What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: The scientist who made ‘mangroves’ a buzzword

Context

Mangrove forests, which were once seen as just wet and useless land, are now seen as a key part of coastal ecosystems and play an important role in fighting climate change.

Introduction

Until the late 1980s, only the local communities living near mangroves truly understood their value, as they depended on them for fishing and livelihoods. But today, the term “mangroves” has become a popular topic in many areas — from protecting coasts from disasters, to fighting climate change through carbon storage, boosting coastal fisheries, and even saving bird habitats along the shore.

Early Advocacy for Mangroves and Climate Action

• Although the UNDP and UNESCOlaunched a mangrove research project in 1988, it was S. Swaminathan in 1989 who highlighted the critical role of mangroves in dealing with climate change.
• At the Climate Change and Human Responses conferencein Tokyo (1989), he warned that rising sea levelswould lead to the salinisation of coastal lands and water, which would harm food production and employment.
• He also stressed that more frequent cyclones, caused by rising sea temperatures, would result in loss of life, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems.
• As a solution, he called for urgent action to sustainably manage mangrove wetlands, based on ecology, economics, and equity.
• He also promoted the use of mangrove genetic resourcesto create salt-tolerant crops, such as rice, by transferring salinity-tolerance genes from mangroves.

Building Global Institutions for Mangrove Protection

• Due to his efforts, the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME)was founded in 1990 in Okinawa, Japan, with Swaminathan as its Founding President (till 1993).
• He helped write the Charter for Mangroves, which was included in the World Charter for Natureby the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.
• This charter still guides global effortsin mangrove conservation

Shaping Perceptions and Policy Through Science and Education

• The ISMEplayed a major role in changing how the world views mangroves.
  • It conducted a global assessmentof the economic and ecological value of mangrove forests, including those in India.
  • It organised workshopson mangrove conservation and sustainable use, published a manual on mangrove restoration, and created the World Mangrove Atlas.
• These efforts helped shift public and policy thinking—from seeing mangroves as useless marshlandsto recognizing them as essential coastal ecosystems.
• The ISME continues to promote applied research, offer training to stakeholders, and act as a global knowledge hubfor mangrove-related issues.

Global Contributions to Mangrove Conservation

• One of S. Swaminathan’s major achievementswas helping develop the Global Mangrove Database and Information System (GLOMIS).
  • GLOMIS is a searchable databasewith details on mangrove researchers, species, and studies.
  • It includes the Mangrove Ecosystem Information Services, which focus on genetic documentation.
• In 1992, a team of scientists—guided by Swaminathan—surveyed 23 mangrove sitesacross 9 countries in South, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
  • Their aim was to build a global network of Mangrove Genetic Resource Centres.
  • These centres are now conserved and managed as ‘Protected Areas’by the respective national governments.

Reforming Mangrove Management in India

• At the national level, Swaminathan played a pivotal role in changing mangrove policies in India.
  • Although mangrove use in India dates back to 1783, the Sundarbansand other areas were extensively cleared for agriculture and settlements.
  • The clear-felling methodwas common from the British era until the Indian Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, was passed.
• Restoration efforts initially failed, and local communities were unfairly blamed.
  • But researchers from the S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, under his guidance, found that changes in the ecosystem caused by clear-fellingwere the real reason for degradation.

Scientific Innovation and Community-based Restoration

• Starting in 1993, the Foundation worked with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, other states, and local communitiesto conduct participatory research.
  • This led to the creation of a hydro-ecological restoration techniquecalled the fishbone canal method.
  • It was successfully tested in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
• This method led to a larger Joint Mangrove Management programme.
  • In 2000, the Ministry of Environment and Forestsevaluated it and recommended replication across India.
  • As a result, more government fundingwas directed toward mangrove conservation.
• The vital role of mangroves became clear during the 1999 Odisha super cycloneand the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when they helped reduce loss of life and property.
  • These disasters highlighted the need for large-scale restoration, both in India and globally.

Conclusion

World Mangrove Day (July 26) is a good time to check if things have improved. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India now has 4,991.68 km² of mangrove forests, which is about 0.15% of the country’s total land area. Compared to ISFR 2019, there is a notable increase of 16.68 km² in mangrove cover.

 

Editorial 2: ​Healing Manipur

Context

A delicate peace requires political leaders to commit to true reconciliation.

Introduction

The decline in misuse of President’s Rule since the 1990s marks a positive shift in India’s federal politics, driven by the S.R. Bommai verdict, stronger regional parties, and public awareness. However, its recent extension in Manipurhighlights an ongoing constitutional breakdown, worsened by ethnic conflict and fragile governance following the collapse of the BJP-led state government.

Decline in Misuse of President’s Rule

• The use of President’s Rule, once often politically misused by the Centre, has significantly decreased since the 1990s.
• This shift is attributed to:
  • The landmark R. Bommai judgment,
  • The emergence of regional partieswith national influence,
  • Growing public disapproval of its misuse.
• Today, President’s Rule is mostly applied in cases of:
  • Constitutional crisesor
  • Grave internal security threats, such as in Manipur.
• Recently, its extension in Manipur (from August 13) drew little opposition due to ongoing instability.

Complex Ground Situation in Manipur

• Following the resignation of CM N. Biren Singhand the fall of the BJP government, a tenuous calm has emerged.
• Crackdown on militant groupshas reduced open violence.
• Some displaced familiesfrom the May 2023 conflict have begun returning.
• However, serious issues persist:
  • Ethnic divisions remainentrenched between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei
  • Buffer zonesstill segregate communities physically.
  • Kuki-Zo groupsdemand a separate administration.
  • Hardline Meitei groupslabel fellow citizens as “outsiders”.

Need for Balanced Administrative and Political Measures

• Administrative steps should focus on:
  • Disarming ethnic militias,
  • Ending the climate of impunity,
  • Supporting moderate voicespushing for peace.
• Civil society activists were earlier targetedfor challenging biased governance.
• Rule of lawmust be paired with political action to be effective.
• Despite its past electoral support across communities, the BJP has failed to mend ethnic divisions.
  • This is largely due to the national leadership’s detachment, leaving the matter to bureaucrats and security personnel.
• While President’s Rule may be necessary for now, success must not be judged merely by reduced violence.
• The Centre must take proactive stepsto heal ethnic divides.
• Lasting peace in Manipur depends on:
  • The political willof parties and civil society,
  • A collective effort to defy extremismand pursue reconciliation.

Conclusion

While President’s Rule ensures administrative order, sustainable peace in Manipur requires more. The Centre must lead with political initiatives, encourage civil society engagement, and address ethnic grievances with empathy. Relying solely on security forces or bureaucrats will not heal divisions. A unified effort by political actors is essential to achieve reconciliation, justice, and a truly inclusive democracy.