• 21 Dec 2024

UCC in Uttarakhand from January 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, The Chief Minister announced at a meeting in Dehradun that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented across Uttarakhand from January 2025. 

 Key Points 

• Uniform Civil Code: 
  • About: 
    • The UCC is outlined in Article 44 of the Constitution as part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which states that the government should strive to establish a uniform civil code for all citizens across India.  
    • However, its implementation is left to the discretion of the government.  
  • Historical Context:  
    • While the British established uniform criminal laws in India, they avoided standardising family laws due to their sensitive nature. 
    • During the debates the Constituent Assembly discussed the UCC and Muslim members raised concerns about its impact on community personal laws, proposing safeguards for religious practices.  
    • On other hand supporters like K.M. Munshi, Alladi Krishnaswami, and B.R. Ambedkar argued for the UCC to promote equality. 
• Milestone Achievement: 
  • Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to implement the UCC after Independence. 
  • Goa was the only state in India where a UCC was in place, following the </span >Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. 

 Supreme Court of India’s Stance on UCC: 

• Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum Case, 1985: The Court noted with regret that “Article 44 has remained a dead letter” and advocated for its implementation. 
• Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India, 1995 and John Vallamattom v. Union of India, 2003: The Court reiterated the need for implementing the UCC. 
• Shayara Bano v. Union of India, 2017: The Supreme Court ruled that the practice of triple talaq was unconstitutional and violated the dignity and equality of Muslim women. 
  • It also suggested that Parliament should pass legislation to regulate Muslim marriages and divorces. 
• Jose Paulo Coutinho v. Maria Luiza Valentina Pereira Case, 2019: The Court praised Goa as a “shining example” where “the uniform civil code is applicable to all, regardless of religion except while protecting certain limited rights” and called for its implementation across India. 

Complete Ban on Firecrackers

Why in News? 

• Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to impose a complete ban on firecrackers in National Capital Region (NCR) areas until further orders. 

 Key Points 

• Call for Complete Ban: 
  • The SC directed the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to clarify their stance on imposing a year-round firecracker ban in the National Capital Region (NCR). 
  • The court emphasized the need for the ban to address both air pollution and noise pollution. 
• Current Status and Measures: 
  • A complete ban on firecrackers currently applies only around Diwali and New Year. 
  • Delhi has enforced a year-round ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and online delivery of firecrackers. 
  • Rajasthan has also imposed a similar ban in areas falling under the NCR. 
• Enforcement of Anti-Pollution Measures: 
  • The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 was enforced in Delhi-NCR due to worsening air quality. 
    • NCR states were directed to form teams of officials to ensure strict adherence to GRAP measures. 
  • These teams will function as officers of the Supreme Court, reporting compliance and breaches to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). 

 Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 

• The GRAP consists of emergency measures designed to prevent the deterioration of air quality after reaching specific thresholds in the Delhi-NCR region. 
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified the GRAP in 2017. 
• Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) implements the GRAP. 

Madhya Pradesh plans New Home for Cheetahs

Why in News? 

The Cheetah Action Plan for Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary includes analyzing cheetah genetics, relocating leopards, and boosting prey numbers in preparation for the cheetah reintroduction in 2025. 

 Key Points 

• Action Plan for Cheetah Introduction: 
  • Initial Release: 6-8 cheetahs will be introduced in a 64 sq. km predator-proof enclosure in the sanctuary's West Range. 
  • Prey Base: The area supports adequate prey including chinkara, nilgai, and other species, with an estimated 1,560-2,080 prey animals required annually. 
  • Current Prey Availability: The area currently has 475 animals, being supplemented with 1,500 additional prey like chital and blackbuck. 
• Leopard Challenge and Mitigation: 
  • Leopard Population: The West Range has about 70 leopards, posing a threat to cheetahs, particularly cubs, due to competition for prey. 
  • Leopard Translocation: All leopards within the fenced area will be captured and relocated before the cheetahs are introduced. 
  • Ongoing Strategy: This effort is part of a decade-long strategy to stabilize the cheetah population, including Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of 10 leopards for research on carnivore interactions. 
• Cheetah Population and Genetic Strategy: 
  • Importing Cheetahs: A population of 12-14 cheetahs (8-10 males, 4-6 females) will be imported from African reserves to create a genetically diverse population. 
  • Genetic Diversity: Cheetahs will be selected based on genetic compatibility to avoid inbreeding, with analysis using micro-satellite and genomic techniques. 
  • Individual Monitoring: Cheetah profiles will be maintained for demographic studies and to monitor survival and health. 
• Ecological Impact and Prey Species Management: 
  • Ecological Effects: The introduction of cheetahs will affect prey species' behavior, requiring potential supplementation of blackbuck, chital, and nilgai. 
  • Radio-Collaring Prey: Some prey animals will be radio-collared to study their adaptation to the new predator presence. 
  • Restoration Plans: The sanctuary's habitat restoration is part of a broader cheetah conservation plan, with other sites like Rajasthan’s Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve also identified for cheetah populations. 
• Current Cheetah Status: 
  • Kuno National Park currently houses 24 cheetahs (including 12 cubs), with two cheetahs recently released into the open forest. 

 Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location: 
  • Notified in 1974, encompassing the districts of Mandsaur and Neemuch in western Madhya Pradesh, bordering Rajasthan.  
  • The Chambal River bifurcates the sanctuary into two nearly equal parts, with the Gandhi Sagar Dam situated within the sanctuary. 
• Ecosystem:  
  • Its ecosystem is characterised by its rocky terrain and shallow topsoil, which supports a savanna ecosystem.  
  • This comprises open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs. Additionally, the riverine valleys within the sanctuary are evergreen. 

Policy to Manage Sacred Groves

Why in News? 

Recently, in a judgment the Supreme Court told the Union government to create a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across the country. 

 Key Points 

• Supreme Court's Recommendation: 
  • The Union government was urged to spearhead efforts for the protection of sacred groves through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). 
  • While wildlife and habitat management has been primarily the responsibility of State governments, the Court emphasized the importance of preserving sacred groves as part of cultural and traditional rights. 
• Action Plan for Sacred Groves: 
  • The MoEF&CC was tasked with developing a plan for a nationwide survey of sacred groves, including identifying their area and extent. 
  • The Union government was directed to issue strict instructions to prevent the reduction of sacred groves due to deforestation or land use changes. 
  • The boundaries of the groves must be marked but remain flexible for future growth. 
• Court's Directives for Rajasthan: 
  • The Court directed the Rajasthan government to map sacred groves using both on-ground and satellite methods. 
  • These groves should be classified as forests and granted legal protection under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, regardless of their size. 
• Empowerment of Traditional Communities: 
  • The Court suggested empowering traditional communities, especially under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, as custodians of sacred groves. 
  • These communities should be given authority to regulate harmful activities to preserve their legacy of stewardship and promote sustainable conservation. 

 Sacred Groves 

• Sacred groves are forest patches traditionally protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural importance. 
• These groves also play a significant role in conserving local biodiversity. 
• Sacred groves are commonly found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.