1. Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

Why in the news?

• The Supreme Court refused to entertain a PIL seeking to replace the term 'Hindutva' with ‘Bharatiya Samidhaanitva’ (Indian constitutionalism).

About Public Interest Litigation (PIL):

• It has been borrowed from American jurisprudence, where it was designed to provide legal representation to previously unrepresented groups like the poor, the racial minorities, unorganized consumers, citizens who were passionate about environmental issues, etc.
• Public interest Litigation (PIL) means litigation filed in a court of law, for the protection of “Public Interest”, such as Pollution, Terrorism, Road safety, Constructional hazards etc. Any matter where the interest of the public at large is affected can be redressed by filing a Public Interest Litigation in a court of law.
• It is not defined in any statute or in any act. It has been interpreted by judges to consider the intent of the public at large.
• It is the power given to the public by courts through judicial activism. However, the person filing the petition must prove to the satisfaction of the court that the petition is being filed for a public interest and not just as a frivolous litigation by a busy body.
• The court can itself take cognizance of the matter and proceed suo motu or cases can commence on the petition of any public spirited individual.
• Some of the matters which are entertained under PIL are:
  • Bonded Labour matters
  • Neglected Children
  • Non-payment of minimum wages to workers and exploitation of casual workers
  • Atrocities on women
  • Environmental pollution and disturbance of ecological balance
  • Food adulteration
  • Maintenance of heritage and culture

Topic: Statutory Bodies

2. National Green Tribunal

Why in the news?

• The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government and others in a matter regarding the alleged throwing of waste products by a meat processing company in a river in Sambhal district.
• It was hearing a plea accusing India Frozen Foods Private Ltd of throwing industrial waste, including debris and blood of animals, into the Sot River — a tributary of the Ganga River.

About National Green Tribunal:

• It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• New Delhi is the principal place of sitting of the tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the tribunal.
• Composition:
  • It comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members.
  • The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Other judicial members are retired judges of High Courts.
  • Each bench of the NGT will comprise of at least one judicial member and one expert member.
  • Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years’ experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.
• Powers: 
  • The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following:
    • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
    • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;
    • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
    • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
    • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
    • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
    • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• It has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals as a Court.
• It is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.

Topic: Statutory Bodies

3. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

Why in the news?

• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had a net addition of 18.53 lakh members to its subscriber base in August. The payroll data, which was released on Sunday (October 20, 2024) said that in August this year, the growth in subscriber base was 9.07% when compared with August 2023. 
• The Union Labour Ministry said in a release that the growth in enrolments reflects increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits.

About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):

• It is a statutory body that came into existence under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, of 1952.
• The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tripartite Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees' Provident Fund, consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.
• The Board administers a contributory provident fund, a pension scheme and an insurance scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.
• It is one of the world’s largest organizations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken by it.
• The Board is assisted by the Employees’ PF Organization (EPFO), consisting of offices at 122 locations across the country.
• The EPFO is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• The Board operates three schemes namely
  • The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 1952 (EPF) 
    • Accumulation plus interest upon retirement and death.
    • Partial withdrawals allowed for education, marriage, illness and house construction.
    • Housing scheme for EPFO members to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of Housing for all by 2022.
  • The Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS) 
    • The monthly benefit for superannuation/benefit, disability, survivor, widow(er) and children.
    • Minimum pension of disablement.
    • Past service benefit to participants of the erstwhile Family Pension Scheme, 1971.
  • The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI)
    • The benefit is provided in case of the death of an employee who was a member of the scheme at the time of death.
    • The benefit amount is 20 times the wages, a maximum benefit of 6 Lakh.

Topic: Multilateral Groupings

4. Quad

Why in the news?

• The Quad group of countries (India, Australia, Japan and the U.S.) held back-to-back naval war games, deepening interoperability and honing, in particular, their anti-submarine warfare skills. 
• Exercise Malabar, comprising the four countries, conducted off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Earlier, the four countries were part of the multilateral ‘Exercise Kakadu’ hosted by the Royal Australian Navy .

About Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue:

• It is a diplomatic partnership among Australia, India, Japan, and the US. 
• It focuses on stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, promoting an open, stable, and resilient environment.
• It aims to address pressing regional challenges, including health security, climate change, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, countering disinformation, and counter-terrorism.
• It originated in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where the four nations provided humanitarian assistance. 
• Formally established in 2007 by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the group went dormant due to concerns over China's reactions, particularly after Australia withdrew in 2008. 
• It was revived in 2017 amid shifting regional attitudes toward China's influence, culminating in its first formal summit in 2021.
• “Quad-plus” meetings have included nations like South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam, indicating potential for future expansion.

Topic: Lakes 

5. Chilika Lake

Why in the news?

• A motorboat carrying more than 60 passengers and 40 motorbikes was stranded in Odisha's Chilika Lake after its engine malfunctioned, leaving passengers in a tense situation. The incident occurred near Maensa, a remote area in the lake, when the boat’s engine developed a technical snag, halting its journey mid-water.

About Chilika Lake:

• It is the largest brackish water lake and wintering ground of the birds in the Indian subcontinent.
• It is Asia's largest and world's second largest lagoon.
• In 1981, it was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins which are often spotted off Satapada Island.
• The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
• Kalijai Temple is located on an island in the Chilika Lake.
• Chilika lake hosts birds migrating from thousands of miles away from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas.
• The birds find the vast mud-field and abundant fish stock here suitable to congregate.

Topic: Biodiversity

6. Gaur

Why in the news?

• Gaur attacks Konda Reddi tribal woman in Rampa Agency. The attack reportedly occurred three days ago while the victim was involved in farm work in a protected forest area; victim suffered minor injuries and is out of danger 

About Gaur:

• It is also known as Indian Bison.
• It is the largest and tallest in the family of wild cattle.
• It is indigenous to the South and Southeast parts of Asia.
• Habitat:
  • It is primarily found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
  • It prefers hilly-terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m. with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
• The adult male weighs around 600 kg to 1500 kg. and the adult female weighs about 400 kg to 1000 kg.
• It has a convex shape on the forehead.
• The limbs are very strong and sturdy.
• Both males and females possess horns. The horns are pale green or yellowish brown in color and are not pointed upward but possess a slightly inward curvature.
• It possesses a typically short tail.
• It is a social animal. It generally lives in a group size of about 30 to 40. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I 
  • CITES: Appendix I.

Konda Reddi Tribe:

• Konda Reddis is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group inhabiting the banks of the river Godavari and also in the hilly forest tracts of Godavari and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Their mother tongue is Telugu in its purest and chaste form, with a unique accent.
• The family is patriarchal and patrilocal. 
• Monogamy is a rule, but polygamous families are also found.
  • Marriage by negotiations, by love and elopement, by service, by capture, and by exchange are socially accepted ways of acquiring mates. 
• The primary religion practiced by the Konda Reddi is Folk Hinduism, characterized by local traditions and cults of local deities worshiped at the community level.
• Political Organization:
  • They have their own institution of social control called ‘Kula Panchayat’.
  • Each village has a traditional headman called ‘Pedda Kapu’.
  • The office of the headman is hereditary, and the headman is also the Pujari (priest) of the village deities.
• Livelihood:
  • They are primarily shifting cultivators and largely depend on flora and fauna of forest for their livelihood.
  • They collect and sell non timber forest produce like tamarind, adda leaves, myrobolan, broom sticks, etc., to supplement their meagre income. 
  • They largely cultivate jowar, which is their staple food.

Topic: Protected Areas

7. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in the news?

• Relocation of settler farmers in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in limbo. Prolonged administrative delays have left hundreds of families stranded, awaiting completion of the resettlement project despite initial funding and progress.

About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in Wayanad, Kerala, in the southern trenches of the Western Ghats.
• It is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is bordered by the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka on the northeastern side and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu on the southeastern side.
• Tribes living in these forests include some scheduled adivasis, such as Paniyas, Kattunaikkans, Kurumas, Ooralis, Adiyans, and Kurichiyas.
• Flora:
  • It is a mosaic of the Western Ghats' significant vegetation types, ranging from moist deciduous to dry deciduous and semi-evergreen patches.
  • Teak, rosewood, eucalyptus, and silver oak plantations cover roughly one-third of the sanctuary.
• Fauna:
  • It is also home to animals like elephants, panthers, tigers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bison, deer and bears.
  • It is known for having the largest population of tigers in Kerala.

Topic: Statutory Bodies 

8. National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

Why in the news?

• The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has rejected a proposal to install a mobile tower in the core area of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary in Gondia district. The proposal involved using 0.02 hectares of forestland from the core zone (Thadezari village) of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Gondia and Bhandara districts for the installation of a mobile tower as part of the 4G saturation project of BSNL.

About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

• It is a statutory board constituted by the Central Government under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in protected areas (PAs).
  • The  Wild Life Protection Act mandates that without the approval of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of PAs, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat, and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done.
• Structure:
  • It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (environment minister) as vice chairperson.
  • In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defense secretary, and expenditure secretary to the Government of India as members.
  • Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.
  • In practical terms, many of its tasks are delegated to a standing committee (SC-NBWL), which is empowered to carry out the same functions.
  • The SC-NBWL shall consist of the Vice-Chairperson (environment minister), the Member Secretary, and not more than ten members to be nominated by the Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the NBWL.
• While the act envisaged the board and the committee as advisory bodies, their powers and responsibilities were increased in 2002, after the Supreme Court ruled that the SC-NBWL had to approve all proposals that sought permission for “any activity” within a wildlife sanctuary.
• The SC-NBWL also makes recommendations on the setting up of and management ofNational Parks, Sanctuaries, and other PAs and on matters relating to restriction of activities in those areas.
• The SC-NBWL shall ordinarily meet once in three months.

Topic: Biodiversity 

9. Punganur Cow

Why in the news?

• While the debate over the commercial viability of the rare cattle breed remains unsettled, the owners of the dwarf cows, in a less endearing than worrisome sense, caution new buyers of the inseparable and tight emotional bond that petite beauties form with their owners, making the rearing process an emotionally expensive journey.

About Punganur Cow:

• Standing at just around 70-90 cm tall and weighing less than 200 kg, it is among the world’s most dwarf cattle breeds.
• It is native to Punganur village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
• It has high resilience to drought and can adapt to low-quality feed.
• It is also prized for its milk, which boasts a higher fat content, making it ideal for producing ghee. 
  • It can give around 1 to 3 l. a day, and the milk fat content is 8 percent as compared to 3 to 4 percent in other native breeds.
  • The milk is also rich in nutrients such as Omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• It is white, grey, or light brown to dark brown or red in colour. Sometimes, animals with white colour mixed with red, brown, or black patches are also seen. 
• It has a broad forehead and short horns. The horns are crescent-shaped and often lose curving backward and forward in males and lateral and forward in females.
• It is considered eco-friendly, requiring less water, feed, and space compared to hybrid breeds.
• Even today, many temples in Andhra Pradesh, including the famous Tirupati Thirumala Temple, use the milk of a Punganur cow for Ksheera Abhishekam (milk offering to the deity).

Topic: Temples

10. Sri Singeeswarar Temple

Why in the news?

• A set of copper plate inscriptions with two leaves dating back to the 16th Century CE have been discovered at the Sri Singeeswarar temple at Mappedu village in Tiruvallur district recently.

About Sri Singeeswarar Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• It is located at Mappedu Village near Perambakkam in Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu.
• The temple was built by Aditya Karikalan II in the year 976 AD.
  • He is the father of the great Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola, who built the Thanjavur Temple.
• Later, during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, his viceroy, Dalavai Ariyanadha Mudaliar, used his influence and built the Rajagopuram-Main Tower, compound wall, and 16-pillar Mandap in the year 1501.
• The Temple is built in Dravidian architecture style, and the Rajagopuram consists of 5 tiers.
• The presiding deity is called Singeeswarar. Singeeswarar is found in the form of a slightly big Shiva Lingam in the sanctum.