• 14 May 2024

Forest Fires Threaten Rare Himalayan Fauna

Why in News?

According to the forest department, Forest fires that occur annually in Uttarakhand cause significant damage to the region's precious forest resources like trees, plants, bushes, herbs and thick layers of soil.

• It also threatens rare Himalayan fauna - wild animals, reptiles, mammals, birds, butterflies, common flies, honey bees and soil-enriching bacterias.

Key Points

• Avian species like the cheer pheasant, kalij pheasant, rufous-bellied woodpecker, common rose, chocolate pansy and common crow have their breeding season from March to June, which is also the period when most fires occur in the region's forest area.
• According to a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) working towards preserving the Himalayan butterflies, there are a total 350 species of butterflies found in the Himalayan region, 120 are on the verge of getting endangered as they breed in host plants that are destroyed in forest fires.
• The Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute is also researching the impact of forest fires on the yellow-headed tortoise that is found throughout the South Asian region.
  • It is listed in schedule 4^th of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and also appears in appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) due to its being endangered.
• According to the forest department, Forest fires in Uttarakhand have affected more than 1,437 hectares of forests since November 2023.

Cheer Pheasant

• The cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii), also known as Wallich's pheasant is a vulnerable species of the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
• It is the only member in the genus Catreus.
• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
• CITES Status: Appendix I
• WPA: Schedule I

Rufous-Bellied Woodpecker

• The rufous-bellied woodpecker (Dendrocopos hyperythrus) is a species of bird in the family Picidae.
• It is found along the Himalayas in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
• Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
• IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
• CITES Status: Not Evaluated
• WPA: Schedule IV

Bihar Ex- Deputy CM Passes Away

Why in News?

Recently, Senior Political leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi passed away in New Delhi at the age of 72. He was suffering from cancer.

Key Points

• He was a Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar as well as the Finance Minister of Bihar from 2005 to 2013 and 2017 to 2020.
• He was a lifelong member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
• He was appointed the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers for the Implementation of Goods and Service Tax in July 2011.

Deputy Chief Minister

• The post of Deputy Chief Minister in India is not a constitutional post, but a political arrangement to appease allies or factions within a party.
• He is equivalent to a Cabinet Minister in terms of rank and perks but does not have any specific financial or administrative powers.
• The Deputy CM has to report to the Chief Minister and seek his or her approval for any decision related to his or her portfolio.
• The Deputy CM does not have access to the files or matters that are meant for the Chief Minister.
• Neither Article 163 nor Article 164(1) explicitly mentions the position of Deputy Chief Minister.
  • Article 163(1) establishes a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor.
  • Article 164(1) outlines the appointment process, with the Chief Minister appointed by the Governor, and other Ministers appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.

Bihar Lok Sabha Elections

Why in News?

Bihar recorded over 54% of voting across five constituencies in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Key Points

• Begusarai registered the highest polling percentage at 58.40, followed by Samastipur at 58.10, Darbhanga at 56.63, Ujiarpur at 56% and Munger at 55%.
• The fate of 55 candidates was decided by over 95.85 lakh voters in 5,398 polling stations during the fourth phase of the polls in the state.

Facts and Figures by Election Commission of India (ECI)

• The Lok Sabha Election 2024 will happen in seven phases.
• The Lok Sabha 2024 election will witness a total of 96.8 crore electors.
• There are 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the ages of 20-29 for the Lok Sabha election in 2024.
• In 12 states, the ratio of female voters is higher than that of male voters.
  • Over 85 lakh first-time female voters will participate in the 2024 general election.
• This will be the first general election after landmark events such as the abolition of Article 370, the creation of the Temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
• The Legislative Assembly elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim will be held simultaneously with the general election, along with the by-elections for 35 seats among 16 states.
• The result of the 2024 general elections, also known as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, will be announced on 4^th June 2024.

Lack of Development in Jharkhand’s Khunti

Why in News?

In Jharkhand’s Khunti, Singhbhum and Lohardaga, amidst Lok sabha elections 2024, many Adivasi voters are unhappy about the lack of development and basic amenities.

Key Points

• In the birthplace of Adivasi icon Birsa Munda, Ulihatu – a village in the Khunti Lok Sabha constituency of Jharkhand there is a dissatisfaction among the residents.
  • Due to lack of development and basic amenities, there is seemingly a lack of political enthusiasm in the area and there is no open support for any party.
• In recent years, there has been visible development in the village, including new infrastructure such as tarred roads, schools, and water tanks.
  • The Prime Minister visited and launched the Rs 24,000 crore Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Development Mission from here.
  • The Central government honored Birsa Munda's birth anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas'.

Birsa Munda

• He was born on 15^th November 1875. He belonged to the Munda tribe.
• He spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement during British rule in the late 19^th century across the tribal belt of modern-day Jharkhand and Bihar.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Development Mission

• The PM-PVTG Development Mission program aims to improve the socio-economic status of Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • For this, availability of Rs 24000 Crore for Scheduled Tribes has been envisaged in the Union Budget.
• The mission includes providing basic facilities like safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, better access to roads in settlements for backward scheduled tribes.

IMD Predicts Fresh Heatwave Over Rajasthan

Why in News?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a fresh heatwave over northwest India with conditions expected in West Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh and South Haryana.

Key Points

• As per the Regional Met Centre (RWFC) Delhi, a heatwave is also predicted at isolated places in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan and East Rajasthan.
• Amidst the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India stated that the weather forecast indicates that the Parliamentary Constituencies going for polls are likely to experience normal to below normal temperatures and there will be no heat wave-like conditions in these areas on the polling day.

India Meteorological Department

• IMD was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
  • It works as an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organisation.

Illegal Mining in Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a committee to look into the complaint of the illegal operation of stone crushers and mining quarries in an Eco-Sensitive Zone of Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Points

• According to the NGT, immediate action is required for the disposal of 337 tonnes of chemical waste, addressing groundwater contamination, shortage of piped water, and monitoring iron, manganese and nitrate concentrations exceeding the permissible limit.
• Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 and is located within a large forest area.
  • It is situated near the Betwa River (a tributary of the Yamuna), in the border region between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, contributing to its unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

Eco Sensitive Zones

• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”.