1. MONEY BILL
TAG: GS 2: POLITY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Chief Justice of India orally remarked for the constitution of a seven-judge bench to hear the constitutional issue regarding money bills.
EXPLANATION:
- The CJI’s observation about setting up a seven-judge bench came during the hearing challenging set of amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
- In July 2022, a three-judge bench had upheld the PMLA and the vast powers of the ED.
- However, the bench had left the validity of amendments to the PMLA through the Money Bill route open for a larger Constitution bench to hear.
- The Finance Acts passed in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 brought in crucial amendments to the PMLA.
- Finance Bills passed during the budget are introduced as money bills under Article 110 of the Constitution.
OTHER CHALLENGES:
AADHAAR CASE:
- The first major challenge on whether a bill qualified to be a money bill under the Constitution was in the Aadhaar case.
- In a 4:1 majority, the Supreme Court in 2018, had ruled in favour of the government and had cleared the Aadhaar Act as a valid money bill under Article 110 of the Constitution.
- Justice Chandrachud in the Aadhaar ruling of 2018, criticised the government for passing the Aadhaar Act as a money Bill.
- He had called it a “fraud on the Constitution” and “subterfuge”.
TRIBUNAL REFORM:
- In November 2019, in Roger Matthew vs Union of India, the Supreme Court heard the challenge against tweaks in the service conditions of tribunal members which was also introduced as a money bill in the Finance Act, 2017.
- While a five-judge bench of the court struck down the law as unconstitutional for interfering with judicial independence, it referred the money bill aspect to a larger constitution bench.
- The court also expressed doubts over the correctness of a five-judge Constitution Bench’s 2018 verdict upholding the Aadhaar Act which had been passed as a money Bill.
MONEY BILL:
- A money bill is a piece of legislation that deals with the raising of taxes, the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India, or the borrowing of money by the government.
- Article 110 of Part V the Constitution deals with the Money Bills.
- Money bills have special status under the Indian Constitution, as they can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and do not require the Rajya Sabha’s consent.
- Money Bill can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President.
- If any question arises whether a bill is a money bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is final (Article 110(3)).
Article 110(1) of the Constitution defines a money bill as a bill that contains only the following provisions:
- The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
- The regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India;
- The custody of the consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund;
- The appropriation of moneys out of the consolidated Fund of India;
- The declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure;
- The receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State; or
- Any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub clause (a) to (f).
2. DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: In recent years, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are impacting the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem and the people living around them and dependent on them.
EXPLANATION:
- The Dandeli forest in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is known for its forest grasses, birds and cattle herders.
DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:
- Located in Karnataka, it is the second largest wildlife sanctuary of the state.
- It is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
- It is known for its lush green forests, grasslands, rivers, and streams.
- The sanctuary is home to a variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species, such as the Indian gaur, the tiger, and the Asian elephant.
- With more than 300 species of birds nesting amidst the forest, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is also a bird lover’s paradise.
- It is well connected with rail and road networks, which makes it accessible to travellers coming from different corners.
IMPACT ON THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM:
Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are causing a number of changes in the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, including:
- Changes in the distribution of plant and animal species:
- Some plants and animals are more tolerant of heat and drought than others.
- As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns become more erratic, some species are shifting their ranges to cooler and wetter areas.
- This is disrupting the food chain and other ecological relationships.
- Increased risk of wildfires:
- Wildfires are a natural part of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem.
- However, rising temperatures and drought conditions are making wildfires more frequent and severe.
- This is damaging forests and grasslands, and displacing wildlife.
- Increased pest and disease outbreaks:
- Pests and diseases thrive in warm and humid conditions.
- Rising temperatures are creating ideal conditions for the spread of pests and diseases, which can damage forests and crops.
IMPACT ON PEOPLE:
- The people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary are dependent on the forest ecosystem for their livelihoods.
- The forest provides them with food, fuel, and income from tourism and other activities.
- The changes in the forest ecosystem due to climate change are having a negative impact on the livelihoods of the people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
- For example, the decline in forest grasses is making it difficult for cattle herders to feed their animals.
- The increased risk of wildfires is destroying homes and crops.
- And the increased pest and disease outbreaks are damaging crops and reducing crop yields.
WAY FORWARD:
There are a number of things that can be done to mitigate the impact of climate change on the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the people living around it. These include:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the most important thing that can be done to mitigate climate change.
- This can be done by switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Protecting and restoring forests:
- Forests play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Protecting and restoring forests can help to mitigate climate change.
- It provides benefits such as improving water quality and reducing soil erosion.
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods for people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary:
- It is important to support the sustainable livelihoods of the people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This can be done through programs that promote sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and other activities that do not harm the forest ecosystem.
3. STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INTERVENTION (SAI)
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: A new study published in the journal Nature Food has warned about implementing a controversial climate intervention technology called stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI).
EXPLANATION:
- It could create inequities in food production, benefitting some and harming others.
STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INTERVENTION (SAI):
- SAI mimics volcanic eruptions by injecting sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere where it oxidises to form sulphuric acid, which then forms reflective aerosol particles.
- For example, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted in 2001 and injected about 15 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere, which then formed aerosol particles.
- It caused a drop in the average global temperature of about 0.6 degrees Celsius over the next 15 months.
- It is a proposed strategy to reduce the effects of anthropogenic climate change.
- There are many temperature targets that could be chosen for a SAI implementation, which would regionally modify climatically relevant variables such as:
- surface temperature,
- precipitation,
- humidity,
- total solar radiation and
- diffuse radiation.
- Higher-latitude nations tend to produce the most calories under unabated climate change.
- Midlatitude nations maximize calories under moderate SAI implementation.
- Equatorial nations produce the most calories from crops under high levels of SAI.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF SAI FOR FOOD PRODUCTION:
- Increased crop yields in high-latitude regions such as Canada and Russia.
- Reduced crop losses due to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods
- Extended growing seasons in some regions
POTENTIAL RISKS OF SAI FOR FOOD PRODUCTION:
- Decreased crop yields in low-latitude regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
- Changes in rainfall patterns that could disrupt agricultural production.
- Depletion of the ozone layer, which could lead to increased UV radiation and damage to crops.
IMPACT OF SAI ON SMALL-SCALE FARMERS:
- Small-scale farmers are often more dependent on rain-fed agriculture than large-scale farmers.
- This makes them more vulnerable to the changes in rainfall patterns that are expected to occur under SAI.
- Small-scale farmers also have fewer resources to invest in irrigation and other technologies that can help to reduce their vulnerability to changes in rainfall patterns.
WAY FORWARD:
- The potential impact of SAI on agriculture is a major concern, as it could exacerbate existing inequalities in food production and access.
- It is important to consider the needs of vulnerable populations, such as small-scale farmers in developing countries, when making decisions about the deployment of SAI.
- It is also important to note that SAI is a temporary solution to the problem of climate change.
- It would not address the underlying causes of climate change, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
- It is important to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy to address the root cause of climate change.
4. COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY (CTBT)
TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE CONTEXT: Russian president stated that Russia might revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to be on level terms with the United States, and not to resume nuclear testing.
WHAT IS CTBT?
- The CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purposes.
- Although it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, it’s still in the ratification stage, 18 countries are yet to ratify.
- While Russia ratified the agreement in 2000, the US is still to do so.
- Although India initially participated in negotiating the CTBT, it subsequently walked out of the negotiations and has never signed the treaty.
HOW DID CTBT COME INTO BEING?
- Between 1945 and 1996, more than 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out by the United States, Soviet Union, Britain, France and China.
- The radioactive fallout from those tests drew criticism from around the globe.
- After then, the 1963 Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (LTBT) prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, but underground tests were still permitted.
- To tackle the limitations of LTBT, a comprehensive test ban was discussed during the negotiation of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty in 1968. However, no agreement was reached on the issue.
- Six years later, the US and Soviet Union agreed to sign the Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT).
- A major breakthrough came after the Cold War ended around 1990 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
- As the geopolitical tensions simmered down, the UN took advantage of the situation and adopted the CTBT.
- It put a blanket ban on the explosive testing of nuclear weapons, on September 10, 1996, and it opened for signature on September 24, 1996.
DID THE CTBT STOP NUCLEAR TESTING?
- Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place.
- India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations, Reuters reported.
- The United States last tested in 1992, China and France in 1996 and the Soviet Union in 1990.
- Russia, which inherited most of the Soviet nuclear arsenal, has never conducted a nuclear test.
WHICH KEY COUNTRIES HAVEN’T RATIFIED CTBT?
- Notably, for the treaty to enter into force, it must be signed and ratified by 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries.
- China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United States are yet to ratify the agreement, according to the UN.
- In 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged these countries to ratify CTBT.
- He said, “Given its necessity and readiness, it is both disappointing and frustrating that the Treaty has not yet entered into force.”
- The eight remaining Annex II States ratifications are required for the Treaty’s entry-into-force.
SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/nuclear-test-ban-treaty-ctbt-8971599/
5. AMPHIBIANS
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Recently, a new study based on the second global amphibian assessment, revealed that climate change posed the greatest threat to the existence of amphibian life.
EXPLANATION:
- The assessment evaluated the extinction risk of more than 8,000 amphibian species from all over the world, including 2,286 species evaluated for the first time.
- More than 1,000 experts across the globe, including scientists and researchers from Assam-based biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak, and other Indian institutions, contributed their data and expertise.
- These data will be published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:
- Two out of every five amphibians are threatened with extinction.
- Between 2004 and 2022, a few critical threats have pushed more than 300 amphibians closer to extinction.
- Climate change was the primary threat for 39% of these species.
- This number is expected to rise as better data and projections on species’ responses to climate change become available.
- Climate change is especially concerning for amphibians in large part because they are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment.
- Climate change is emerging as one of the biggest threats to frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.
- As per the study, climate change is already having a significant impact on amphibians, and this impact is expected to worsen in the coming years.
Rhacophorus rhodopus from Assam
Icthyophis garoensis from Meghalaya
FACTORS AFFECTING AMPHIBIANS:
- Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature is regulated by the environment.
- As temperatures rise, amphibians are more likely to overheat, which can lead to death.
- Climate change is disrupting amphibians’ breeding cycles and making it more difficult for them to find food and water.
- In addition to climate change, amphibians are also facing a number of other threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.
- However, the study found that climate change is the most serious threat to amphibians, and that it is likely to be the primary driver of amphibian extinctions in the coming decades.
- The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the urgent need to take action on climate change.
- Amphibians are important members of ecosystems, and their decline could have a significant impact on food security and human health.
- It is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate the impacts of climate change on amphibians and other vulnerable species.
AMPHIBIANS:
- Amphibians are a class of vertebrates that can live in both water and on land.
- They are ectotherms.
- Amphibians have a moist, permeable skin that allows them to breathe oxygen and absorb water.
- They also have long, sticky tongues that they use to catch prey.
- Amphibians go through a process called metamorphosis, which is a transformation from a larva to an adult.
- The larvae are typically aquatic and have gills for breathing.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONSERVE AMPHIBIANS?
- Support policies that address climate change and protect biodiversity.
- Reduce our own carbon footprint by driving less, using less energy at home, and eating less meat.
- Support conservation organizations that are working to protect amphibians and their habitats.
- Volunteer your time to help with amphibian surveys and habitat restoration projects.
- Educate others about the importance of amphibians and the threats they face.
