Uttarakhand

• 26 Jul 2022

Conserve the Breed of 'Mountain Weissel', the Species of Navale

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, Chief Conservator of Forest Research Circle Sanjeev Chaturvedi informed that the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the Forest Department has given a green signal to the proposal for conservation in the state of The Mountain Weissel, a species of navale, which has played an important role in the ecological balance in the high Himalayan region.

Key Points

• Sanjiv Chaturvedi said that the research wing of the department has prepared a five-year action plan for this. Soon the study of Mountain Weasel will be started at Badrinath, Harki Doon, Harshil and other places.
• Found at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters in the high Himalayan region, this species of nave is found in Ladakh in India. After Ladakh, it will now be protected in Uttarakhand also.
• Somewhat different from the normally visible navels, mountain weasel is a secluded mammalian creature with a thin body and neck, small legs and small heads. This creature of the Family Mustelidae is also beautiful in appearance.
• There are four species of mountain weejal found in Uttarakhand. It is also naturally helpful in regulating the number of species like rats, peaches in the high Himalayan region by hunting them.
• It is worth noting that Mountain Weissel (Mustela Altaica), also known as Pel Weigel, Altai Weigel or Solongoi, lives mainly in high-altitude environments, as well as rocky tundra and grassy woodlands.
• The geographical distribution of this species ranges from Kazakhstan, Tibet and the Himalayas to parts of Asia from Mongolia, northeast China and southern Siberia. However, the most important region for this species is Ladakh, India.

Strict Anti-Copying Law

Why in News?

On July 25, 2022, Santosh Badoni, secretary, Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission, informed that the commission has passed a proposal for a new anti-copying law. After studying the anti-copying law of Rajasthan and SSC, the Commission will send its draft to the government.

Key Points

• Amidst the paper leak case in the graduate level examination, the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission is enacting a stringent anti-copying law. The law will be stringent on the lines of Rajasthan's anti-copying law which came out in February this year.
• So far, after any case of paper leak has come to light, the accused under the Anti-Copying Act of Uttarakhand are booked under Sections 420, 120B of the IPC or under the IT Act if there is hi-tech copying.
• On the lines of Rajasthan's anti-copying law, the members of the copying gang will be fined between 10 lakh and 10 crore rupees. Apart from this, their property can also be attached. At the same time, a provision will also be made for a punishment of five to ten years if the offence of copying is proved.
• If a student/candidate is found guilty of purchasing paper from a copying gang, he will be punished with a fine of One lakh rupees as well as a punishment of up to three years. If the student/candidate is found to be a member of that copying gang, action will be taken against him according to the gang.
• A new provision is also being made by the Commission to prevent copying that if a student/candidate is caught copying, he/she will not be able to appear in any kind of examinations for two years.
• Paper leaks or copying in uttarakhand subordinate services selection commission examinations on the lines of Rajasthan will be treated as cognizable and non-bailable offence. Copying and paper leak can only be checked by an Additional SP level officer. An anti-cheating cell can also be set up in the investigating agency to prevent copying.