THE POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. KARNATAKA RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION BILL

THE CONTEXT: The ‘Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill’ was recently passed by the state legislative council.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Karnataka’s anti-conversion bill was passed by the legislative assembly in December 2021.
• The bill bans forced religious conversions by direct or indirect means.
• It gives specific procedures for undertaking a religious conversion.
• This bill gives penalty to anyone who forcibly convert minor, woman, SC/ST, or a person of unsound mind with 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs.50,000.
• Mass conversion (two or more people) could result in 3 to 10 years of imprisonment and Rs.1 lakh fine.
• Under this legislation, any individual seeking to convert their religion must submit a declaration at least 30 days before the conversion to the District Magistrate.
• The religious convertor is also required to submit a form to the DM at least 30 days before the intended conversion.
• After these submissions, the DM would notify the proposed religious conversion on the notice board of the offices of DM and Tehsildar.
• Within 30 days of the public notice, anyone can file an objection to the conversion.
• If any such objection occurs, the DM is required to conduct an inquiry to investigate the intension, purpose and cause of the proposed conversion.
• Any conversion that occurs while not following the procedure will be considered illegal and void.

Anti-conversion bills

Besides Karnataka, other states have also passed similar legislations. Their purpose is to ban unlawful religious conversions, protect those who are forced to convert from one religion to another through misinterpretation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, promise of marriage or any other fraudulent means. Other states that introduced anti-conversion bills are Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: HUNGARY NO LONGER A FULL DEMOCRACY

THE CONTEXT: The European Parliament has adopted a report that declared Hungary to be no longer a democracy.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The European Parliament has recently adopted a parliamentary report that declared Hungary to be “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy”.
• It concluded that the European values are currently under threat in Hungary and thus, it is no longer a democratic country.
• The recent motion at the European Parliament is symbolic disapproval from the EU towards Hungary, that has witnessed years of opprobrium over the rule-of-law issues under the regime of the current populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
• However, this adoption may not lead to any specific punishment targeting Hungary.
• The recently adopted report listed a range of concerns about the country’s electoral system, judicial independence, academic and religious freedom and the overall rights of the vulnerable population.
• In 2018, the European Parliament had launched a procedure against the risk posed by Hungary to EU’s democratic values.
• In theory, this mechanism could result in Hungary losing its right to vote in the EU Council, where the critical decision-making takes place for the European bloc.
• However, it requires action from rest of the 26 EU members, who have shown little interest in antagonizing Hungary.
• The EU countries are wary of such a move since Hungary’s approval is critical for major decisions.
• Hungary is currently having close ties with Russia and it is involved in blocking further European sanctions on Moscow for its involvement in Ukraine crisis.
• The European parliament’s recognition of Hungary as electoral autocracy comes based reports from bodies belonging to the Council of Europe as well as case law from the EU’s court of justice and others.
• The verdict by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was also cited for this conclusion.
• In April 2022, the OSCE held that Hungary’s election that returned Orban to power for the fourth consecutive term was tainted by the lack of level playing field.
• It had sent a full-fledged mission to Hungary, an almost unprecedented step for an EU member state.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: India to host 9th Session of Governing Body of the ITPGRFA in New Delhi.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The organization of 9th session of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) will provide a common platform for all the participating countries to deliberate upon the pivotal issues related to the development, conservation and protection of Plant Genetic Resources for the benefit of farming community.
• The scientific exchange of technological advancement among the countries will help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and food security globally.
• The plant genetic resources available with different countries will act as base material for development of new varieties to ensure better quality and higher productivity of crops.
• The GB9 is being held under the theme “Celebrating the Guardians of Crop Diversity: Towards an Inclusive Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework”.
• The theme aims to acknowledge the contribution of the world’s small-holder farmers to the effective management of PGRFA.

About ITPGRFA:

• ITPGRFA is a legally binding comprehensive agreement adopted in November, 2001 at Rome during the 31st session of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• It entered into force on June 29, 2004 and currently has 149 Contracting Parties, including India.
• The treaty provides solutions to achieve food and nutritional security as well as climate resilient agriculture.
• Countries are inter-dependent for PGRFA and consequently a global order is essential to facilitate access and benefit sharing.

Relevance for India:

• India is endowed with rich crop genetic resources.
• It has successfully established legal, institutional and scholastic infrastructure to utilize the genetic diversity for breeding new varieties.
• With this unique status and as GB9 host, India is expected to play a crucial role in minimizing the dissonance between technology-rich developed and gene-rich developing countries to achieve functional resolutions on critical agenda items.
• The GB9 provides an excellent opportunity to convey the steadfast commitment of India to conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic diversity as well as farmers’ rights.

4. THE ANGAN 2022

THE CONTEXT: Recently a three-day international conference ANGAN 2022 is organized by Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP).

THE EXPLANATION:

• ANGAN 2022 (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat) is an international conference organized by Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP).
• It is organized based on the theme “Making the Zero-Carbon Transition in Buildings”.
• It is the second edition of the Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat.
• Around 75 eminent speakers, representing more than 15 countries and international organizations, have come together to discuss ways to reduce carbon emission and improve energy efficiency in buildings.
• More than 500 delegates consisting of architects, engineers, builders, building material industries, teachers, students, researchers, central and state government officials are participating in this conference.
• Discussions were held on critical issues such as “Unlocking Finance for Low-Carbon Buildings and “Thermal Comfort and Climate Resilience in Residential buildings”.
• It had special session on “Women in the Resource Efficiency Conversation”.
• The purpose of this conference is to promote a healthy ecosystem as mentioned at the COP26 by Prime Minister on LiFE (Lifestyle And Environment) and Panchamrit, which aims to make India Net Zero by 2070.
• The conference promoted various low carbon products, technologies and innovations that can be used in the building sector.
• This conference-cum-exhibition event is expected to boost international and national strategic collaboration, partnership, network and information exchange for the creation of low carbon, energy efficient habitat.

BEEP

Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is a collaborative project between the Indian Government and the Swiss Government. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which comes under the Indian Government’s Ministry of Power, is providing the technical support for this project. It had helped formulate Eco-Niwas Samhita (energy conservation building code for residential buildings), designed around 50 buildings and trained more than 5,000 building sector professionals.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES/INITIATIVES IN NEWS

5. E-BAAL NIDAN PORTAL REVAMPED

THE CONTEXT: The NCPCR has revamped the E-Baal Nidan portal to include more features that would ease the tasks of complainants as well as NCPCR and SCPCRs in dealing with the complaints.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is E-Baal Nidan Portal?

• “E-Baal Nidan” is an online complaint mechanism launched in 2015 to enable individuals to report violations committed against a child and track the progress of the redressal of the complaint in the Commission.
• The portal eases the process of making a complaint to the NCPCR and ensures transparency in the redressal process.
• It ensures a timely disposal of cases by the NCPCR.
• Currently, the NCPCR is providing access to all State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
• It will be providing user IDs and passwords for the State Commissions to enable them to view complaints registered on the portal and take necessary steps as mandated by the law.
• The portal also provides an option to transfer the registered complaints from the NCPCR to the concerned State Commission.
• It also gives option of joint inquiry if the State Commission wants the NCPCR to be involved.
• The portal segregates complaints based their subject matters like juvenile justice, PSCSO, child labour, education etc.

NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body of the Indian Government set up under Section 3 of the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005. Its purpose is to protect the child rights and other related matters in India. It is also involved in the monitoring of the implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. It is also involved in examining and reviewing the safeguards provided by and under any law for the protection of child rights and recommend ways to improve their implementation.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. WORLD’S LARGEST MUSEUM OF HARAPPAN CULTURE IN RAKHIGARHI

THE CONTEXT: The world’s largest museum on Harappan culture is currently being set up in Rakhigarhi, Haryana.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The museum on Harappan culture in Rakhigarhi would showcase some 5,000-year-old artefacts belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization.
• This world class museum would display photographs depicting Rakhigarhi’s history.
• The museum, which is currently under construction, would give recognition to Rakhigarhi at the international and national levels and increase job opportunities for the local communities.
• A special zone is being created in the museum for children to make them aware of the history in a recreational manner.
• The museum would also house an open-air theatre and a library.

About Rakhigarhi

• The village of Rakhigarhi was part of the Indus Valley Civilization from 2600 to 1900 BC. The two villages Rakhi Khas and Rakhi Shahpur currently host the archeological remains of the Indus Valley site. It was excavated for the first time in 1969. It is currently the largest settlement of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Since 1998, 56 skeletons have been discovered in the site. Among them, two women were found in mound number 7. They are estimated to be 7,000 years old.
• The presence of shell bangles in the site provides evidence of trade links to faraway places such as Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jewelry trade is among the most prominent in this site. People in this civilization are known to melt precious metals like copper, carnelian, agate and gold to make garlands of beads.

Development of 5 Iconic Sites

During the Union Budget 2020, the Central Government announced the development of five iconic sites – Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh), Shiva sagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu). Museums will be developed in these sites with a total outlay of Rs.2,500 crore.

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Q.1 “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.2 “Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. “ Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.3 To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance  landscape at the grassroots?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.4 Discuss the role of the Vice –President of India as the Chairman of the Rajyasabha.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.5 Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.6 The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.7 The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.8 Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.9 ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.10 Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation ?

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.11 Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or State Legislature under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision ? Refer to the case laws.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.12 Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by ne Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.13 While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy.” Comment.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.14 Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.15 Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.16 Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.17 Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process ? Justify your answer.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.18 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.19 How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.20 Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

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Q.1.  How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days ?

 (Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.2  Why did the armies of the British East India Company- mostly comprising of Indian soldiers-win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers ? Give reasons.

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.3  Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.4  Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

 (Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.5  Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.  

(Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.6 Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.7 Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.8  Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships.

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.9  How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption ?

 (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q.10  Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category ?  

(Answer in 150 words ) 10

Q.11 The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.12 Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.  

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.13 Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.        

(Answer in 250 words) 15

 Q.14 What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.  

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.15 Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

(Answer in 250 words) 15                                                                                                

Q.16  Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.

(Answer in 250 words ) 15

Q.17 Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes How?

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.18  Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

Q.19  Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism ? Justify your answer.

(Answer in 250 words ) 15

Q.20  Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.

(Answer in 250 words) 15

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THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court judgement recently held protected land in Aravalli ranges as forests, guarding it against non-forest use. This article will analyse the implications of this judgement from the UPSC perspective.

BASICS ABOUT THE ARAVALLIS

LOCATION & FORMATION

• They stretch for a distance of about 720 km from Himmatnagar in Gujarat to Delhi, spanning Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.
• The Aravallis date back to millions of years when a pre-Indian subcontinent collided with the mainland Eurasian Plate.
• The Aravallis of Northwestern India, one of the oldest fold mountains of the world, now form residual mountains with an elevation of 300m to 900m. Guru Shikhar Peak on Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range (1,722 m).
• It has been formed primarily of folded crust when two convergent plates move towards each other by the process called orogenic movement.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARAVALLIS

ACTING AS A GREEN BARRIER

• The Aravallis act as a barrier between the fertile plains in the east and the sandy desert in the west.
• Historically, it is said that the Aravalli range checked the spread of the Thar desert towards the Indo-Gangetic plains, serving as a catchment of rivers and plains.

INFLUENCING CLIMATE & RAINFALL

• During monsoons, it forms a parallel wall to monsoon clouds moving eastwards, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains.
• In the winter months, it protects the fertile alluvial river valleys from the cold westerly winds from Central Asia.

HABITAT FOR DIVERSITY

• The Aravallis provides habitat to 300 native plant species, 120 bird species and many exclusive animals like the jackal and mongoose.

PROVIDING BREATHING SPACE

• This Aravalli range is considered the “lungs” for the polluted air of Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR).
• For Haryana, having the lowest forest cover at around 3.59% of the total forest cover in India, the Aravalli range is the only saving grace, providing the major portion of its forest cover (2017 Forest Survey Report).

PROTECTING THE ARAVALLIS: OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENTS & RULINGS

OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF THE ARAVALLIS `ARAVALLI NOTIFICATION’ (1992)

• In 1992, to protect the ecologically sensitive Aravallis, the ministry of environment and forests (MOEFCC) introduced what is colloquially called the Aravalli notification.
• It says that apart from reserved forests or places already classified as `forest’ in government records, areas categorised as gair mumkin pahar (uncultivable hill), gair mumkin rada (foothills, pastures), gair mumkin be hed (ravined foothills), Banjar beed (cultivable grassy foothills) and round (rocky areas between two hills) will be treated as Aravallis.
• The same status is also to be given now to any land classified under sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act. All such areas in NCR will be protected and identified as Aravallis; the MoEFCC has told the green court.
• The immediate implication is that it extends a protective cover to large swathes of land in NCR, especially in Gurgaon and Faridabad.
• Before this notification, the Haryana government claimed that the status of such land was not yet been decided, leaving them open to real estate projects. Before this, the Aravali notification was applicable only to Gurgaon and Alwar (Rajasthan).

EVOLUTION OF THE ARAVALLI ISSUE

IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENTS

TN GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD ‘VS UNION OF INDIA (1996)

• Clarified definition of the forest: ‘Forest’ must be understood according to its ‘dictionary meaning’. The ‘SC asks states to identify accordingly.
• COMPLIANCE: Haryana hasn’t identified areas that fulfil the dictionary meaning of forest.

MC MEHTA VS UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS (2002)

• Ban on groundwater extraction and mining: The SC bans drawing groundwater in ‘an area within 5km radius of Delhi border on Haryana side
• and in the Aravalli hills. Also, mining in 448 sq km area of Aravallis in Faridabad, Gurgaon and Mewat.
• COMPLIANCE: Borewells are still active. Mining has reduced but not stopped altogether.

LAFARGE CASE (2011)

• The SC directs all states to complete the process of identifying forests.
• COMPLIANCE: Haryana has Not initiated the process yet.

ANSAL CASE (2012)

• Any change in revenue records to sell land invalid: Some areas recorded as ‘gair mumkin pahar’ were converted to ‘gair mumkin farmhouse’.
• The SC says these are not to be accepted

2018 KANT ENCLAVE CASE

• The SC said that area notified under PLPA in Haryana must be treated as ‘forest’ and ‘forest land’. The judgment regarding construction in the Aravalli hills of Haryana holds serious implications for the ongoing litigations and preservation of the entire Aravallis in Haryana.
• COMPLIANCE: The Haryana Assembly passed the controversial Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2019, which opens up nearly 30,000 hectares of protected land for development.

2022 JUDGEMENT BY SC

• The Supreme Court held that all land covered by the special orders issued under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in Haryana would be treated as forests and be entitled to protection under the 1980 Forest Conservation Act.
• Such land covered under Section 4 can see no commercial activity or non-forest use without the consent of the central government.
• It also stated that land covered by the special orders issued under Section 4 of PLPA has all the trappings of forest lands within the meaning of Section 2 of the Forest Act.
• The court directed the state government to clear any non-forest activity from such land in three months and report compliance.
• The bench considered a September 2018 judgment (Kant Enclave case) which held all land under PLPA could be treated as forest.
• The recent verdict clarified that the previous judgment failed to closely examine the scheme of Section 4 of PLPA and its legal effect in relation to Section 2 of the Forest Act.

SECTION 4 OF PLPA & SECTION 2 OF FOREST ACT: THE CAUSES OF CONCERN

Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA):

• Special orders under Section 4 of PLPA are the restrictive provisions issued by the state government to prevent deforestation of a specified area that could lead to soil erosion.
• When the state government is satisfied that deforestation of a forest area forming part of a larger area is likely to lead to erosion of soil, the power under Section 4 can be exercised.
• Therefore, the specific land which a special order under Section 4 of PLPA has been issued will have all the trappings of a forest governed by the Forest Act.
• While the land notified under the special orders of Section 4 of PLPA shall be forest lands, not all land under PLPA will ipso facto become forest lands within the meaning of the Forest Act.

Section 2 of the Forest Act:

• Section 2 of the Forest Act imposes prohibitions on the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without prior approval of the central government.
• Once land is covered under Section 2 of the Forest Act, whether the special orders under Section 4 continue to be in force or not, it shall continue to remain forest land.

Plans to override SC judgements: Analysing Government Steps

• Environmentalists fear the ruling may fast-track amendments to Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980. The amendments are likely to be tabled in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament as the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2022.
• As per FCA, activities like the felling of trees or activities like construction, mining and others are considered non-forest use. However, there is no clarity on whether afforestation or planting trees is a forest activity or a non-forest activity.
• The amendment bill aims to clarify the applicability of the Act in various types of land and to streamline the process of approvals. Changing forest conservation rules regarding clearance to projects and ease of business will have major ramifications.
• The forest Act draft proposed in 2021 wanted to remove the forest labels for a deemed wasteland or private forests.
• Under the new amendments, permissions will be granted by the state government instead of the Gram Sabhas. The government’s plan to create land banks by scrapping non-forest areas is just a step away from handing it over to commercial entities.
• While many ‘forests’ are proposed to be de-notified, Gram Sabhas and local communities are not being empowered to protect their rights.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Adhering to SC’s directives: Mining in the Aravalli region has been banned since 2002 under the Supreme Court orders unless expressly permitted by the Union Environment Ministry. However, mining continues illegally. The government should, thus, take immediate steps to follow SC’s directive regarding mining as well as encroachments, as mentioned in its other judgements.
• The Centre is contemplating an ambitious plan to create a 1,400km long and 5km wide green belt from Gujarat to the Delhi-Haryana border. Such projects need to be further upheld and supported by the states sharing the Aravalli ecology.
• There must be increased devolution of decision-making powers to gram sabhas.

THE CONCLUSION: The ethical dilemma of choosing between preserving the environment and the economic growth of the country is persistent for a developing nation like ours. For this, the policymakers must take into consideration the Constitutional morality, the commitments to Sustainable Development goals and the effective consensus of the local community for sustainable and inclusive policy formulations.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

• “The ethical dilemma of choosing between preserving the environment and economic growth of the country is a persistent issue.” In the light of the statement, analyse the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, which considered protected land in Aravalli ranges as ‘forests.’