• 18 Sep 2024

Uttarakhand to Set up 42 Forest Labs

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttarakhand Forest department has established 42 ecological laboratories to monitor the impact of climate change on the forests.

Key Points

• These labs will collect data on changes like early flowering in rhododendrons and Brahmakamal, and the quality of litchis affected by high temperatures.
• These ‘ecological labs’, also called ‘living laboratories’ are distributed across various ecosystems, from the Terai region to alpine meadows.
  • Uttarakhand is home to 46 distinct forest types, which can play important role in global climate change research.
• Uttarakhand this summer has reported soaring temperatures beyond 42 degree celsius, which affected the quality of Dehraduni and Ramnagar litchis.
• Rhododendron: Rhododendron is a genus of flowering plants with around 1,000 species, known for their showy, brightly colored flowers, and are popular as ornamental shrubs or small trees.
  • In India, Pink Rhododendron is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh, and Rhododendron arboreum is the state flower of Nagaland and the State Tree of Uttarakhand.
  • Health benefits: Prevention and treatment of diseases associated with heart, dysentery, diarrhea, detoxification, inflammation, fever, constipation, bronchitis and asthma. The leaves possess effective antioxidant activity. The young leaves are used to alleviate headaches. The wood of this plant can be used for making khukri handles, pack saddles, gift boxes, and gunstocks.
• Brahmakamal: It is the state flower of Uttarakhand.
  • It occurs in alpine meadows of the Himalayas, from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and is also found in Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Pakistan at altitudes of 3700 to 4600 meters.
  • The plant's roots and floral buds are used to treat leucoderma, urinary issues, bone fractures, wounds, bone pain, cough, cold, and digestive problems; the whole plant is used for veterinary medicine in haematuria.
  • In Tawang, its dried powder or paste is applied for skin diseases, and floral buds are used to treat boils.

Litchi

• Botanical Classification: Litchi belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is known for its delicious, juicy, translucent aril or edible flesh.
• Climatic Requirements: Litchi thrives in sub-tropical climates and prefers moist conditions. It grows best in regions with low elevation, up to an altitude of around 800 meters.
• Soil Preference: The ideal soil for litchi cultivation is deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Litchi is sensitive to extreme temperatures. It does not tolerate temperatures above 40.5 degrees Celsius in summer or freezing temperatures in winter.
• Rainfall Impact: Prolonged rain, especially during flowering, can interfere with pollination and affect the crop adversely.
• Geographical Cultivation: In India, the commercial cultivation was traditionally restricted to the north in the foot hills of Himalayas from Tripura to Jammu & Kashmir and plains of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
  • But due to increased demand and viability, cultivation has expanded to states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
  • Bihar alone accounts for nearly 40% of India’s litchi production. Bihar is followed by West Bengal (12%) and Jharkhand (10%).
• Global Production: India ranks as the second largest producer of litchi globally, following China. Other significant litchi-producing countries include Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar, and the United States.

Nature of J&K Assembly

Why in News?

As the first phase of polling for the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly approaches, the Assembly will function under a new structure introduced by the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, which changed its constitutional setup.

Key Points

• Union Territory Structure: The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 created two Union Territories (UTs), the UT of Ladakh without a legislature, and the UT of Jammu & Kashmir with a legislature.
  • The Assembly can legislate on matters in the State List except for "Public Order" and "Police," which remain under the Lieutenant Governor (LG's) control.
  • Article 239 states that Union Territories are administered by the President through an appointed administrator to the extent deemed necessary.
  • Section 13 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, applies Article 239A, which governs the administration of Puducherry, to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Legislative Powers: Section 32 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 allows the Legislative Assembly to make laws on matters in the State List, except for "Public Order" and "Police," and the Concurrent List as applicable to Union Territories.
  • Section 36 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 requires that any Bill or amendment related to financial obligations can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly with the recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor, limiting the Assembly's role in fiscal matters.
  • The Assembly's powers are subject to the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in matters outside its purview or when required by law.
• Comparison with Delhi and Puducherry: Like Puducherry, J&K’s Assembly is governed by Article 239A, while Delhi operates under a distinct Article 239AA with a more complex power-sharing framework between the LG and the government.
  • In Delhi’s case, three subjects land, public order, and police are reserved for the LG.
• LG’s Authority: In addition to "Public Order" and "Police," the LG has authority over bureaucracy and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, with discretionary powers over all matters outside the Assembly’s jurisdiction.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

• It divided Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• It repealed Article 370, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir a unique status.
• Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh, while the remaining areas became part of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Five Lok Sabha seats were retained by Jammu and Kashmir, and one was transferred to Ladakh.
• Legislature: The seats in the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for tribal and scheduled caste people to keep the proportion intact of their population in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Lt. Governors can nominate two women members for the Assembly to represent women if women are not sufficiently represented to justify equality between men and women.
  • The elected Legislative Assembly will be for 5 years, and the Lt. The Governor will summon the Assembly once every six months.
  • The Legislative Assembly has the right to pass a law for any given part of the Union Territory of J&K related to any of the matters listed in the Indian Constitutions State's List except for the "Police" and "Public Order."
  • Any matter specified in the Concurrent List will be applied to Indian Union Territories. Furthermore, Parliament will have the decision-making power to create laws for Jammu Kashmir and its Union Territory.

Economic Trajectory

Why in News?

Recently, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) report revealed the economic dominance of five states in India during the 1960s.

Key Points

• In the 1960s, five states, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar, accounted for approximately 54% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Uttar Pradesh (then undivided) was the largest economic contributor among these states, contributing 14.4% of India’s total GDP.
• Uttar Pradesh’s Economy:
  • Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) Growth:
    • In 2022-23, Uttar Pradesh’s GSDP (at constant prices) grew by 8.3%, down from 10.2% in 2021-22.
    • National GDP is estimated to grow at 7.2% in 2022-23.
  • Sectoral Growth:
    • Agriculture sector: Grew by 10% in 2022-23 (at current prices), compared to 14% in 2021-22 (growth in 2021-22 was over a low base).
    • Manufacturing sector: Grew by 22% in 2022-23.
    • Services sector: Grew by 12% in 2022-23.
    • Contributions to the economy (at constant prices): Agriculture (24%), Manufacturing (30%), Services (46%).
  • Per Capita GSDP:
    • Estimated at Rs 96,193 in 2022-23 (at current prices), with an annual growth of 8% since 2017-18.

• The GSDP growth rates at constant prices of 2011-12 were: 4.7% (2012-13), 5.8% (2013-14), 4.0% (2014-15), 8.8% (2015-16), 11.4% (2016-17), 4.6% (2017-18), 6.3% (2018-19), 3.8% (2019-20), -5.5% (2020-21), and 4.2% (2021-22).
• Share of UP in National GDP: The share of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in the national GDP is either constant or declining. For a trillion-dollar economy, UP's share should increase to 20%.
  • The GDP of India at current prices increased from Rs.153.92 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs.236.64 lakh crore in 2021-22.
  • The share of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in India's GDP declined from 8.4% in 2016-17 to 7.9% in 2021-22.
• Widening Per Capita Income Gap: The gap between per capita income of India and UP has widened over the years. In 2011-12, UP's per capita income was about 50% of India's, but by 2021-22, it had decreased to 45.87%. This indicates that UP has not kept pace with national economic growth.
• The projected GSDP in 2026-27 under alternative growth scenarios arranged in points:
  • Very High (CAGR = 20%): Rs.42.5 lakh crore
  • High (CAGR = 15%): Rs.35.8 lakh crore
  • Moderate (CAGR = 12%): Rs.32.2 lakh crore
  • Normal (CAGR = 10%): Rs.30 lakh crore

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

• It is an non-constitutional, non-statutory, independent body constituted to give advice on economic and related issues to the Government of India, specifically to the Prime Minister.
• The council serves to highlight key economic issues to the government of India from a neutral viewpoint.
  • It advises the Prime Minister on economic issues like inflation, microfinance, and industrial output.
• For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes, the NITI Aayog serves as the Nodal Agency for the EAC-PM.
• Periodic Reports:
  • Annual Economic Outlook.
  • Review of the Economy.

Corridor Projects for Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Budget 2024-25 revealed plans to develop corridor projects for the Vishnupad Temple at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

Key Points

• Vishnupad Temple at Gaya
  • Location: It is situated on the banks of the Phalgu river in Gaya district of Bihar, India.
  • Presiding Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • Legend: According to local mythology, a demon named Gayasur requested the gods to grant him the power to help others attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). However, after misusing this power, Lord Vishnu subdued him, leaving a footprint in the temple, believed to be a mark of that event.
  • Architectural Features: The temple stands about 100 feet tall and features 44 pillars constructed from large gray granite blocks (Munger Black stone) joined with iron clamps.
    • The octagonal shrine is oriented towards the east.
  • Construction: It was constructed in 1787 under the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and is located on the banks of the Falgu River.
  • Cultural Practices: The temple is particularly significant during Pitra Paksha, a period dedicated to honoring ancestors, attracting many devotees.
    • The Brahma Kalpit Brahmins, also referred to as Gayawal Brahmins, have been the traditional priests of the temple since ancient times.
• Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya
  • Location: Bodh Gaya, in the Gaya district of Bihar.
  • Historical Importance: It is believed to be the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi Tree.
  • Built By: The original temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3^rd century BC, with the current structure dating back to the 5^th–6^th centuries.
  • Architectural Features: It comprises the 50 m high grand temple, the Vajrasana, sacred Bodhi Tree and other six sacred sites of Buddha's enlightenment, surrounded by numerous ancient Votive stupas, well maintained and protected by inner, middle and outer circular boundaries.
    • It is one of the earliest brick temples from the Gupta period, influencing later brick architecture.
    • The Vajrasana (the Diamond Throne) was originally installed by Emperor Asoka to mark the spot where Buddha sat and meditated.
  • Sacred Parts of Mahabodhi Temple:
    • Bodhi Tree: Believed to be a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha attained Enlightenment.
    • Animeshlochan Chaitya: Where Buddha spent the Second Week.
    • Ratnachakrama: Site of Buddha's Third Week walking meditation.
    • Ratnaghar Chaitya: Site of Buddha's Fourth Week.
    • Ajapala Nigrodh Tree: Site of Buddha’s Fifth Week.
    • Lotus Pond: Site of Buddha’s Sixth Week.
    • Rajyatana Tree: Site of Buddha’s Seventh Week.
  • Recognition: Mahabodhi Temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
  • Pilgrimage Site: The Mahabodhi Temple attracts a large number of national and international pilgrims, highlighting its spiritual significance.