UPSC Key: Smart Cities Mission, National Board for Wildlife, and Federalism

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

What’s the ongoing story: More than 10 years after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired his first-ever meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) last week, on World Wildlife Day on March 3.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the NBWL?

— What is the composition and objective of the NBWL?

— What is the difference between statutory and constitutional bodies?

— What are the criticisms related to NBWL?

— Read about: the Ken Betwa river linking project and the location of Hollongapar Gibbon sanctuary.

Key Takeaways:

— The last full-body NBWL meeting was held on September 5, 2012, chaired by then PM Manmohan Singh. The PM is the ex officio chairman of the NBWL.

— The present-day National Board for Wildlife was created in 2003 after amending The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

— After the BJP government came to power in 2014, the NBWL was reconstituted. The move faced allegations of dilution of powers, as only three non-governmental members were appointed, of which one was the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER), an autonomous body under the Gujarat government.

— Over the past decade, the NBWL has cleared several development projects in and around wildlife habitats, leading to controversy and protests from ecologists. These include the Ken Betwa river linking project’s Daudhan Dam and an oil exploration project of Vedanta in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hollongapar Gibbon sanctuary.

— The NBWL basically restructured the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), established in 1952. The intent was to give it more teeth by making it a statutory body and giving it a more regulatory character to implement the Wild Life Protection Act.

— The NBWL’s predecessor, the Indian Board for Wildlife, took birth in March 1952 as the Central Board for Wildlife. It was named IBWL in its first meeting held at the Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore, from November 24 to December 1, 1952. The IBWL was formed to address the decline of wildlife populations.

Do You Know:

— The NBWL is the country’s apex body on matters of framing wildlife policy, conservation of wildlife and forests, and on giving recommendations to set up new national parks and sanctuaries.

— The NBWL consists of 47 members with the Prime Minister as its chairperson and the Union environment minister its vice-chairperson.

— The NBWL has a standing committee, to which are delegated key tasks such as appraising projects situated on forest lands inside and around national parks and sanctuaries as well as projects within 10-km of protected areas. The standing committee’s decisions are recommendatory, which the environment ministry can overrule.

— The Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) laid down the framework for notifying national parks, provided a legal backing for wildlife and habitat conservation, banned hunting and poaching of endangered species, and regulated wildlife trade. This also paved the way for Project Tiger in 1973.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍PM Modi lays foundation stone: What is the Ken-Betwa river linking project, environmental concerns around it

📍Why rivers, the lifeline of the nation, must flow

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Consider the following pairs: (2010)

Protected area	Well-known for
Bhiterkanika, Orissa	Salt Water Crocodile
Desert National Park, Rajasthan	Great Indian Bustard
Eravikulam, Kerala	Hoolock Gibbon

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Why a Peruvian farmer is suing a German energy company

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: A Peruvian farmer is getting his day in court in a landmark climate case against German energy giant RWE that could shake up how the effects of companies’ emissions are litigated.

Key Points to Ponder:

— Location of Andean Glacier

— What are the causes of climate change?

— How greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for climate change?

— Is it time to hold companies legally accountable for climate change?

— Why are glaciers melting? What is the impact?

Key Takeaways:

— In 2015, Lliuya, backed by activist group Germanwatch, filed a lawsuit claiming RWE’s greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to the melting of an Andean glacier which has raised the water level at Laguna Pacacocha, creating a significant flood risk to his home in the nearby town of Huaraz.

— He contends the company has contributed nearly 0.5% of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution, and should pay the equivalent fraction of flood protection costs in the area.

— The case is based on section 1004 of the Civil Law Code which states that if a property is interfered with, the owner may require the disturber to remove the interference.

— In 2021, scientists at the University of Oxford and the University of Washington proved that the melting of a glacier in the Peruvian Andes was being caused by man-made global warming and was raising flooding risks for nearby residents.

Do You Know:

— According to the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), “Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.”

— Melting ice from glaciers worldwide has led to the sea level rising by almost 2 cm this century alone, a newly-published study has found. Glaciers have been losing 273 billion tonnes of ice each year — equivalent to how much water Earth’s entire population would consume over a period of 30 years — for the last 25 years, the study reported.

— Sea level rise is essentially the increase in the average height of the ocean’s surface, measured from the centre of the Earth. There are two primary reasons why sea levels are currently rising.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Climate clock is ticking: Act before it’s too late

📍Understanding the impacts of climate change and the path to effective adaptation

UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2016)

(a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East

(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

(c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals

UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one meter by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (2023)

Why Holika Dahan, Holi are celebrated: The reasons, beyond the legend of Prahlad and Holika

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

What’s the ongoing story: Holika Dahan, as the bonfire is called, was followed by Holi, the festival of colours, which falls on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Phalgun.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the cultural significance of Holi?

— What are the roles of festivals in fostering social harmony?

— What is the historical background of Holi?

— What is the role of these festivals in India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy?

Key Takeaways:

— Holika Dahan, or the burning of Holika, recreates the fire, spreading the message that if one stays on the path of good, one eventually triumphs, even when evil seems overwhelmingly powerful — the devotion of a defenceless boy saves him from powerful and magical adversaries.

— The festival of Holi comes a day after Holika Dahan, and is far removed from the world of fires and punishments, though also linked with Vishnu — in his Krishna avatar.

— In fact, it is possible that various ancient harvest festivals and events celebrating the arrival of spring (Vasantotsav), eventually all came under the umbrella of Holi.

— Today, Holi as a festival involving playing with colours is recognised across the world. However, the significance of throwing colour on each other is to celebrate, as a community, the arrival of a new, fruitful season, and to collectively enjoy the bounties of nature.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and more: Significance of these festivals, celebrated across India

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Consider the following pairs : (2017)

Traditions	Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival	Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj JaatYatra	Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari	Santhais

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) None of the above

 

GOVT & POLITICS

India seeks London HC nod to appeal in Sanjay Bhandari extradition discharge

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

What’s the ongoing story: The Indian government as re- spondent in Sanjay Bhandari ex- tradition case has sought per- mission from the London High Court to appeal against the dis- charge of the defence sector con- sultant wanted in Delhi to face charges of alleged tax evasion and money laundering.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is money laundering?

— What are the methods used in money laundering?

— What are the laws enacted by the Indian government against money laundering?

— How is money laundering a threat to internal security?

— What is the impact of money laundering?

— What are the measures taken at the global level to counter money laundering?

Key Takeaways:

— According to government officials familiar with the case, the first in a two-part process was initiated this week, which involves getting the high court’s certification of “points of law of general public importance.”

—  Bhandari was subject to two extradition requests: the first certified in June 2020 concern- ing an allegation of money laun- dering contrary to India’s Prevention Laundering Act, 2002, and the second certified in June 2021 concerning an allegation of wil- fully attempting to evade a tax, penalty or interest chargeable or imposable under India’s Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act 2015.

Do You Know:

— According to the United Nations, money laundering is the processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin. This money is generated by a criminal activity but may appear to come from a legitimate source.

Stages of Money Laundering. (Source: UNODC)

— Money laundering generally involves three key stages to integrate funds into the legal financial system.

(i) Placement: The crime money is injected into the formal financial system.

(ii) Layering: Money injected into the system is layered and spread over various transactions and book-keeping tricks to hide the source of origin.

(iii) Integration: Laundered money is withdrawn from the legitimate account to be used for criminal purposes. Now, money enters the financial system in such a way that the original association with the crime is disassociated. The money now can be used by the offender as legitimate money.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge nugget of the day: Money Laundering

📍FATF on India: Effective anti-money laundering system, low prosecution

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. (2021)

7 % projects to continue as Smart Cities Mission set to end March 31

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

What’s the ongoing story: TEN YEARS since it began and after three extensions, the Smart Cities Mission is set to end on March 31, though the 7% of the ongoing projects are likely to go beyond the deadline, The Indian Express has learnt.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the Smart City Mission?

— What is the objective of the mission?

— What are the challenges facing this mission?

— What are the components of the Smart City Mission?

— What are the other government schemes related to improving the urban quality of life?

Key Takeaways:

— The mission was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating 100 smart cities. The cities were selected in rounds of competition held from January 2016 to June 2018, and they had five years from their respective selettion, that is 2021 to 2023, to complete the projects.

— In 2021, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs decided to push the deadline for all 100 cities to June 2023. The deadline was further pushed to June 30, 2024 and then to March 31, 2025.

— As per the Smart Cities Mission dashboard, the cities have completed 7,491 projects worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore, with 567 projects (7%) worth Rs 14,357 crore still ongoing.

— Of the different categories of projects, water, sanitation and hygiene projects accounted for the biggest expenditure so far (Rs 46,730 crore), followed by smart mobility (Rs 37,362 crore) and smart governance (Rs 16,262 crore).

— While cities proposed and implemented a range of projects, one project that each of them has completed is the setting up of Integrated Command and Control Centres at a total cost of Rs 11,775 crore.

Do You Know:

— The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a housing credit-linked subsidy initiative launched by the Indian government in 2015 to offer affordable homes to economically disadvantaged and low-income individuals.

— The Union Cabinet approved PMAY 2.0, which provides financial support to 1 crore urban poor and middle-class households for five years beginning September 1, 2024.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt extends Smart Cities Mission deadline by 1 year

📍PMAY 2.0: Know eligibility, documents required, application process, and other key details

UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (2016)

 

EDITORIAL

Centre, state, party

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

What’s the ongoing story: Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: There are potential minor and major storms brewing around federalism in India. The question of delimitation and the balance of representation between the states of North and South India requires political finesse.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the characteristics of a federal state?

— What are the challenges of the Indian federal structure?

— What do you understand by cooperative federalism?

— What is the Asymmetrical Federation?

— The GST Council has been the finest example of collaborative and cooperative federalism. Discuss.

Key Takeaways:

— The horizontal imbalance between states in terms of development continues to remain a challenge. The functional division of powers between the State, Central and Concurrent lists needs to be renegotiated in light of current development predicaments.

— A general tendency towards growing authoritarianism will also, in its broad contours, undermine federalism. And occasionally, the politics of cultural representation — appalling stereotypes of states — also rears its head.

— The practice of federalism is, in effect, always a messy affair. There are many different angles from which the problem can be addressed. There is a vast literature on what might be called the “first principles” administrative approach to federalism.

— It has to be said that in the history of Indian federalism, the centralisation that we see was increasingly co-produced by the Centre and states. The ascendancy of centrally sponsored schemes, the new bone of contention between the Centre and the states, was largely a function of the fact that health and education, the two items that used to be on the State List, were for decades amongst the most significant failures of states.

— The politics of federalism is also complicated by the fact that political, cultural, administrative and economic federalism are not governed by a single logic.

— The legislature’s functioning has been more or less superseded by the political party, especially after the introduction of the anti-defection law. Parliament cannot effectively exercise oversight over the executive because party government and partisanship supersede all other formal allocation of powers. This is also a big challenge for federalism.

— When we think of federalism, we often think of the relationship between the Centre and individual states. But in a way, there are three actors here (ignoring local government, for a moment). There is the Centre, individual states, and the states taken together.

— In a way, the GST is a perfect example, where states together take collective decisions that are binding on all states: Technically, the determination of GST rates is not a Centre versus state issue.

Do You Know:

— The journey of India towards federalism began with its struggle for independence from colonial rule. The demand for autonomy and self-governance had a significant influence on a variety of linguistic, cultural, and geographical groupings. The framers of the Indian Constitution recognised the need to uphold our ethos, i.e. unity in diversity.

— Consequently, the Indian Constitution established a federal system of governance. It possesses all the traits of a federation such as bicameralism, two governments (the Union and the State), a written constitution that is neither too easy nor too stiff to amend, and an independent court to uphold the system of checks and balances.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍As the Constitution turns 75, India’s federal vision stands strong

📍Federalism in India: What you need to know

UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character? (2021)

(a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.

(b) The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.

(c) The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.

(d) The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.

UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. (2016)

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PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (b)  2. (b)  3. (a)   4. (a)

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