Rajasthan

• 20 Jul 2023

List of total 44 Notified Wetlands in 19 Districts released in the state

Why in News?

On July 19, 2023, Additional Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Shikhar Agarwal said that taking a historic step in the field of conservation and integrated management of wetlands by the Department of Environment & Climate Change, a list of total 44 notified wetlands has been issued in 19 districts of the state, under which Baran district of the state will have maximum 12 wetlands.

Key Points:

• 44 wetlands in 19 districts of the state will strengthen the ecosystem in the state and provide a better food chain for wildlife. Wetlands, which are recognized as the kidneys of the earth, play an important role in maintaining the natural balance as well as in environmental protection and water harvesting and purification.
• According to the notification issued by the Environment & Climate Change Department, there will now be a total of 44 notified wetlands (wetlands) areas in the state, under which wetlands in Baran district include Eklera Sagar, Kotrapar Talab, Bethali Dam, Hinglot Dam, Utavali Dam, Sehrol Dam, Garda Talab, Niyana Talai, Nahargarh, Teja Ji Ki Talai, Pushkar Talab, Lhasi Dam.
• There are Devi Kund Sagar and Sursagar under Bikaner district, Naval Sagar Lake under Bundi district, Mangalwad Lake, Kishan Kareri, Barwai Lake, Gambhiri Dam, Dungarpur District, Sabela Pond in Dungarpur District, Naval Sagar Lake under Bundi District, Bird Sanctuary Canvas, Kishore Sagar, Hanotia under Kota, Didwana (Khalda) in Nagaur District, Pali District The lake includes Lakhotia Talab and Lordia Talab, Rajyawas and Raghav Sagar wetlands under Rajsamand district.
• Apart from these, there are Rewasa in Sikar district, Buddhasagar, Bisalpur, Chandlai, Motisagar, Galwania, Tordi Sagar in Sikar district, Menar Talab Wetland Complex in Udaipur district, Chawandia in Bhilwara district, Kesariyawad in Pratapgarh district, Lakherao Talab in Sirohi district, Ajmer district Bada Talab, Rankhar in Jalore district, Badbela Talab in Jhalawar district are included.
• According to the notification, there will be a ban on any kind of encroachment in the wetland & surrounding areas and there will be a ban on setting up any new industry & expansion of existing industries.
• Along with this, there will be a ban on the collection and disposal of solid, hazardous & e-waste. Food items given by common people to fish and migratory birds will be banned. Commercial mining, stone quarrying along with crushing units will also be banned. There will be an effective ban on any type of hunting.
• All commercial activities that emit pollution including activities that reduce the area and potential of wetlands will be prohibited. Also, any type of groundwater extraction will be prohibited.
• According to the notification, fish farming, operation of boats, desilting, temporary construction, and drainage of water for special purposes can be done in the wetlands area.
• What are wetlands:
• Known as 'Kidney of the Landscape' and 'Biological Supermarket', such moist and marshy land, which is partially or completely filled with water throughout the year.
• Wetlands are ecosystems that absorb excess water during floods so that areas of human habitation are protected from submergence.
• Apart from this, by performing important roles like 'carbon absorption' and an increase in 'ground water level', wetlands contribute significantly to environmental protection.

Rajasthan Prison Bill-2023 passed by voice vote

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, after discussing the Rajasthan Prisons Bill-2023 in the Rajasthan Assembly, the House passed the bill by voice vote.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Prisons Minister Tikaram Julie said that the Rajasthan Prison Bill-2023 has been brought to ensure reformative provisions, basic human rights, their skill development and vocational training program for the prisoners in the jails of the state.
• At present, the 129-year-old Administration and Management Prisons Act-1894 and the 63-year-old Rajasthan Prisons Act-1960 are in force in the state.
• The Rajasthan Prisons Bill-2023 has been brought together by integrating various amendments made in these Acts from time to time. This bill will work for the prisoners as well as the officers and employees working in the jails.
• The Prisons Minister said that various innovations are being made by the department for the improvement of prisoners so that they can get employment after the completion of their sentence. Open detention camps, skill development programmes and the opening of petrol pumps in jails are important innovations in this direction. Rajasthan ranks first in the entire country in terms of open camps. About 40% of the country's open detention camps are in Rajasthan.
• LED bulbs are being made by the prisoners in the jails of the state, which are available at a lower price than the market. The construction work of new jails in Dungarpur and Jhalawar will be completed soon.
• Facilities in jails in the state are being expanded at a rapid pace. The facility of appearance through VCs is available in 96 % of the jails of the state and soon this facility will be set up in the remaining jails. At the same time, continuous inspections are being carried out by administrative, police and judicial officers for security in the jails.
• Earlier, the House rejected the proposal to circulate the bill for public opinion by a voice vote.

Rajasthan Appropriation (No.-3) Bill, 2023 passed

Why in News?

On July 19, 2023, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed the Rajasthan Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2023.

Key Points:

• The Bill seeks to authorise payment and appropriation of certain amounts from the Consolidated Fund of the State for the financial year 2023-24.
• With the passage of the bill, an amount of 8 thousand 255 crore 67 lakh 40 thousand rupees will be paid and utilized.
• Earlier, the Assembly also passed the Demands for Supplementary Grants for the year 2023-24 (first compilation).
• Minister-in-charge Shanti Kumar Dhariwal presented the demands, which were passed by the House.