Dhanauri Wetland

The UP government has been given four weeks by the National Green Tribunal to provide updates regarding the Dhanauri wetlands’ Ramsar tag status.

Dhanauri Wetland

• In Uttar Pradesh’s Dhanauri hamlet, close to Dankaur, is the Dhanauri Wetlands, a popular spot for birdwatching.
• More than 120 Sarus cranes call it home; Sarus cranes are the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
• This sanctuary is very important since it serves as a home for the magnificent Sarus crane and is home to 23 species of threatened, critically endangered, and endangered birds.

Environmental Importance

• More than 217 different bird species, including more than 150 Sarus cranes, may be found in Dhanauri, a natural wetland that is important for birdwatching and breeding.
• Bird Life International has designated it as an Important Bird Area, and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has documented it.
• Over 50,000 waterfowl inhabit the marsh from November to March, which is the peak migration season.

In news, why?

• Dhanauri is essential to maintaining the population of Sarus cranes, which is in danger.
• Out of nine Ramsar site requirements, the wetland satisfies two important ones:
• More than 1% of the biogeographic population of Sarus cranes resides there.
• More than 20,000 different kinds of ducks congregate in this area.

Money Laundering Probe against a Political Party

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is considering including a political party as an accused in a money laundering investigation connected to the Delhi government’s now-canceled Excise Policy.

Booking a Political Party for Money Laundering

• Relevant Law: This situation gives rise to the application of Section 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which deals with corporate offenses.
• What is meant by “Company”? Although the Companies Act does not classify a political party as a “company,” the PMLA has an explanation that expands the definition to include “associations of individuals,” which may include political parties.

Case Law in Such Cases

• This suit has the potential to create a major precedent in Indian law if it is pursued.
• Political parties have previously been the subject of Income Tax Act investigations.
• As stated in a notification by the Finance Ministry, trusts and non-governmental organizations are already covered by the PMLA.

Relationship between Political Party and Charges

• The ED’s main accusation is that the political party was given the money from the excise scheme.
• A firm “may be prosecuted, notwithstanding whether the prosecution or conviction of any legal juridical person shall be contingent on the prosecution or conviction of any individual,” according to an additional explanation included in Section 70 of the PMLA.
• This suggests that the party may still face separate money laundering prosecutions even in situations involving party members.

Supreme Court declines to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

• A setback to LGBTQ rights, the Indian Supreme Court refused to sanction same-sex unions.
• CJI stated that parliament should enact the legislation governing marriage and that the court was not qualified to make that decision.

Demand for Same-Sex Marriage

• In order to accommodate LGBTQIA+ couples, petitioners are calling for a revision of the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954, in which “spouses” would be substituted for “man and woman.”
• In addition to signifying equality, this freedom to marry opens up a host of legal advantages, such as inheritance, insurance, and adoption.

States’ Reactions

• Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan were against the argument for same-sex marriages to be recognized legally.
• Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Sikkim requested further time to reply.
• Furthermore, a lot of conservative religious groups are against these kinds of unions.

Notably, in Asia, where politics and society are still primarily dominated by conservative ideas, the only countries that permit same-sex unions are Taiwan and Nepal. The Supreme Court’s decision regarding marriage equality in India is expected to have a significant impact on LGBTQIA+ rights in the nation.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh explore RCEP Membership

• Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are thinking about joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the wake of India’s 2019 exit from the trade deal.

Recent update on RCEP

• Application from Sri Lanka: In its application, Sri Lanka requests cooperation from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand in order to become a member of the RCEP.
• ultimate Decision on RCEP participation by Bangladesh: Following its elections in January 2024, Bangladesh is anticipated to make a definitive decision on RCEP participation.
• India’s position on the RCEP Past Withdrawal: In 2019, India pulled out of the negotiations over the potential for a Chinese products flood, concerns over the mobility of services, and opposition from small and domestic enterprises in the country’s agriculture sector.
• No Return Indication: India has not shown any indication that it will reevaluate its choice to leave the RCEP.

Bangladesh’s and Sri Lanka’s Interests

• Learning from Crisis: Sri Lanka aims to expand its market and boost competitiveness because it recognizes the value of regional markets in times of crisis.
• As Bangladesh prepares to leave the Least Developed Countries list in 2026, participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) might mitigate possible export losses and streamline free trade agreements.

Disruption in Earth’s Water Cycle

• In a report, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasized the substantial effects of both human activity and climate change on Earth’s water circulation networks.
• Droughts, intense rainfall events, and disturbances in water cycles are the direct results of this.

Why is there stress on it?

• Impacts: The unpredictable hydrological cycle brought forth by climate change and human activity has resulted in both extreme rainfall events and droughts, which have severely disrupted lifestyles and businesses.
• Melting Snow and Ice: As snow, ice, and glaciers continue to melt, the likelihood of extreme weather events like floods increases. This poses long-term risks to the security of water supplies, especially for the millions of people who already experience acute water scarcity.

Worldwide Effect

• Global Deviations: Heatwaves, droughts, La Nina, and El Nino occurrences are among the primary causes of the over 50% of global catchment regions that saw deviations from typical river discharge conditions in 2022.
• Horn of Africa Drought: While some areas, including the Niger Basin, experienced above-average discharge and significant floods, the Horn of Africa’s severe drought resulted in decreased river discharge, which negatively impacted food security for 21 million people.
• Water Reservoirs Affected: Inflow into almost 60% of significant water reservoirs was below average, which presents problems for water supply in a changing climate.

Impact on Asian Water Tower

• The extensive network of high mountain regions that spans Asia, especially in nations like India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Central Asia, is commonly referred to as the “Asian Water Tower (AWT).”
• Numerous significant Asian rivers, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Mekong, Indus, and Amu Darya, originate from these high mountain ranges.
• The glaciers and snowmelt in these mountains feed downstream communities with freshwater on a constant basis.
• In 2022, there was significant glacier melting in this AWT.
• The water balance is greatly impacted by increased precipitation, flooding, and severe droughts brought on by rising temperatures, which also speed up disruptions to the water cycle.

Centre launches Green Credit Program (GCP)

Through the Center’s Green Credit Program (GCP), people and organizations can accrue Green Credits that can be exchanged on a specific exchange.

The Green Credit Program (GCP): What is it?

• Goal: Seek to create a market-driven, competitive strategy that motivates a range of stakeholders to take up environmental initiatives.
• Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is the Nodal Agency.

The Way Green Credit Works

• Voluntary Participation: Since participation in the program is completely voluntary, it reflects inclusion.
• Entities: A wide range of entities are covered by the program, including private sectors, gram panchayats, FPOs (farmer producer organizations), urban local bodies (ULBs), and individuals.
• Tradability: Tradable, encouraging involvement in a suggested home marketplace.
• Green Credit certificates are awarded to applicants upon acceptance.

Enclosed Inactions

• Activities that meet the program’s qualifying requirements include planting trees, conserving water, practicing sustainable agriculture, managing waste, lowering air pollution, protecting mangroves, implementing eco-mark projects, developing sustainable buildings, and developing infrastructure.
• Registration & Verification: In order for their activities to be verified by a recognized agency, participants must register them on the program’s website.

How do you calculate Green Credits?

• Equitable Calculation: In order to accomplish the intended environmental results, Green Credits are computed according to resource equivalency, scalability, scope, size, and other pertinent factors.
• Credit Registry: These credits will be tracked and managed by a special Green Credit Registry.
• Trading Platform: To facilitate the exchange of Green Credits inside the domestic market, an administrator will set up and maintain a trading platform.

Compliance with Legal Requirements

• Non-Tradable for Legal Compliance: To ensure compliance with current laws, Green Credits acquired for legal compliance purposes will not be traded.
• Separate from the Carbon Credit Scheme: The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 created the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, which is not affiliated with the GCP.
• Extra Climate Benefits: Green credit-generating activities may also produce climate-related benefits, such a decrease in carbon emissions, which could lead to the purchase of carbon credits.