Haryana

• 21 Nov 2024

Debris in Gurugram’s Green Belt

Why in News? 

Recently, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) faces backlash for dumping garbage and debris from the Gurgaon-Faridabad highway into the ecologically sensitive green belt of Baliwas village in the Aravalli forest. 

Key Points

• Importance of the Green Belt: 
  • The green belt is vital for groundwater recharge, agriculture, recreation, and houses the revered Hill of Devta temple, intensifying local opposition. 
  • Environmentalists highlight the area’s role in preventing desertification and maintaining the balance of the Aravalli forest ecosystem. 
• Concerns: 
  • Baliwas residents fear being trapped between the Bandhwari waste dump and the new dumping site. 
  • Environmentalists caution that continued dumping could lead to irreversible ecological damage, affecting soil quality, biodiversity, and groundwater recharge. 
• Government and Administrative Response: 
  • Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) plans to inspect the site, raising hopes for stricter enforcement. 
  • The MCG Commissioner promised action, forming a dedicated team to assess the situation and recommending strict measures against violators to protect the green belt.

Aravallis 

• About:  
  • The Aravalli Range extends from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan, 692 km in length and varies between 10 to 120 km in width. 
    • The range acts as a natural green wall, with 80% located in Rajasthan and 20% in Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat. 
  • The Aravalli mountains are divided into two main ranges the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan, where their extension is about 560 km. 
  • It serves as an ecotone between the Thar Desert and the Gangetic Plain. 
    • Ecotones are areas where two or more ecosystems, biological communities, or biotic regions meet. 
  • Gurusikhar (Rajasthan), the highest peak in the range, reaches an elevation of 1,722 meters. 
• Significance of Aravalis: 
  • The Aravallis prevent the Thar Desert from encroaching on the Indo-Gangetic plains, historically serving as a catchment for rivers and plains. 
  • The range supports 300 native plant species, 120 bird species, and exclusive animals like jackals and mongooses. 
  • During monsoons, the Aravallis direct monsoon clouds eastward, benefiting sub-Himalayan rivers and North Indian plains. In winter, they shield fertile valleys from cold westerly winds. 
  • The range aids in groundwater replenishment by absorbing rainwater, thus reviving groundwater levels. 
  • The Aravallis act as the “lungs” for Delhi-NCR, mitigating some effects of the region's severe air pollution.

Haryana Good Governance Award Scheme 2024

Why in News? 

The Haryana government launched the ‘Haryana Good Governance Award Scheme 2024’ to recognize and reward employees for innovative practices and exceptional efforts that enhance governance across the state.

Key Points

• Objective of the Scheme: 
  • The scheme aims to promote excellence in governance by recognizing and rewarding employees for innovative practices and exceptional efforts that enhance governance across the state. 
• State-Level Awards: 
  • Flagship Scheme Awards: 
    • Teams working on flagship projects will be rewarded with a trophy, an appreciation certificate signed by the Chief Secretary. 
      • A cash prize of Rs 51,000, shared equally among team members. 
    • Maximum of six awards will be given in this category. 
  • General State-Level Awards: 
    • Given to teams demonstrating high performance in governance initiatives. 
    • A trophy and certificate of appreciation, added to recipients' service records. 
      • Cash prizes: 
        • Rs 51,000 for first prize. 
        • Rs 31,000 for second prize. 
        • Rs 21,000 for third prize. 
    • Cash rewards will be equally distributed among team members. 
  • District-Level Awards: 
    • Presented by the Deputy Commissioner of each district. 
    • Rewards included a trophy, an appreciation certificate signed by the Divisional Commissioner. 
    • Cash prizes: 
      • Rs 31,000 for first prize. 
      • Rs 21,000 for second prize. 
      • Rs 11,000 for third prize. 
• Good Governance Day: 
  • The awards align with Good Governance Day, celebrated annually on 25th December. 

Good Governance 

• About: 
  • Governance refers to the processes, systems, and structures through which organizations, societies, or groups are directed, controlled, and managed. 
    • Good governance is defined as a set of values through which a public institution conducts public affairs and manages public resources in a way that respects human rights, the rule of law, and the needs of society. 
  • The World Bank defines good governance in terms of the traditions and institutions by which authority in a country is exercised. This includes: 
    • the process by which governments are selected, monitored and replaced 
    • the capacity of the government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies 
    • the respect of citizens and the state for the institutions that govern economic and social interactions among them. 
• Basic Principles of Good Governance: