Mainstreaming Biodiversity: A Pivotal Step Towards a Sustainable Future

The observance of International Biodiversity Day on May 22 serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role our natural world plays in addressing the climate change crisis and the threat to our future posed by declining biodiversity. Preserving and enhancing biodiversity emerges as a cost-effective approach to sequester carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms found on Earth, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and their interactions within ecosystems. It encompasses the diversity of species, genetic diversity within species, and the diversity of ecosystems.

Biodiversity is not limited to specific areas but exists everywhere, from terrestrial habitats like forests, grasslands, and deserts to aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

It also includes the diversity of habitats, ecological processes, and the complex web of relationships between organisms and their environment.

Biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems and provides numerous benefits to humans. It supports essential ecosystem services, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification.

Biodiversity also contributes to food security by providing a variety of crops, livestock, and wild foods. Additionally, it plays a vital role in medicine, as many pharmaceuticals are derived from natural sources.

The Decline of Biodiversity: key contributing factors

Habitat Loss: The conversion of natural habitats into agricultural lands, urban areas, and industrial zones is a primary driver of biodiversity loss. Deforestation, land degradation, and habitat fragmentation disrupt ecosystems and displace numerous species.

Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events associated with climate change have a profound impact on biodiversity. Species may struggle to adapt or migrate quickly enough, leading to population declines and even extinction.

Pollution: Pollution, including air and water pollution, poses a severe threat to biodiversity. Chemical contaminants, such as pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants, can accumulate in ecosystems and harm both flora and fauna.

Overexploitation: Unsustainable harvesting of wildlife, overfishing, and illegal wildlife trade put immense pressure on species populations. This overexploitation disrupts ecological balance and can lead to the collapse of ecosystems.

Invasive Species: Non-native species introduced into new environments can outcompete native species, disrupt ecological interactions, and cause harm to local ecosystems. Invasive species often lack natural predators or controls, allowing them to multiply rapidly.

Agricultural Practices: Intensive agricultural practices, including the use of chemical inputs, monoculture farming, and the destruction of natural habitats for agriculture, contribute to the loss of biodiversity. This impacts both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

What is The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing?

Objective: The mission aims to integrate biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services into various sectors to address critical challenges related to climate change, regenerative agriculture, and ecosystem and public health.

Enhancing Human Wellbeing: The mission focuses on fostering human well-being by enhancing and conserving biodiversity. It aims to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty alleviation, nutrition and health, and environmental protection.

People-Centric Approach: The mission recognizes the importance of active engagement and participation of all citizens in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. It places people at the center of the mission’s activities.

Mainstreaming Biodiversity: The mission seeks to embed biodiversity considerations into development-oriented programs of both the public and private sectors. This ensures that biodiversity conservation becomes an integral part of decision-making processes and actions.

Education and Awareness: The mission aims to create awareness about the importance of biodiversity and foster curiosity about nature. It seeks to instill a sense of responsibility for safeguarding biodiversity in every child and student

The Subordination of Parliament in India’s Democracy: A Constitutional Dilemma

The recent inauguration of a new Parliament building in India was accompanied by both grandeur and controversy. While the exclusion of the President and the symbolic gestures surrounding the Sengol stirred significant debate, there is a deeper issue that remains overlooked the growing subordination of Parliament in India’s parliamentary democracy.

What is mean by Parliamentary Democracy?

Parliamentary democracy is a form of government in which the executive branch, headed by a Prime Minister or equivalent position, derives its legitimacy and authority from the legislative branch, known as Parliament. In this system, the executive is accountable to Parliament and relies on its support to govern effectively.

What is mean by Executive Democracy?

Executive democracy refers to a form of governance where the executive branch of government holds a dominant or disproportionate amount of power and influence compared to other branches, such as the legislature or judiciary. In an executive democracy, the executive branch, usually headed by a President or Prime Minister, exercises significant control over policy-making and decision-making processes

Factors attributed to the diminishing role of the Parliament in India’s democracy

Minimal Deliberation: Bills are often passed with minimal or no deliberation, resulting in a lack of in-depth scrutiny and discussion on important legislative matters. This reduces the effectiveness of Parliament as a deliberative body.

Decreased Sitting Days: Parliament sits for fewer and fewer days in a year, leading to a reduced opportunity for lawmakers to engage in meaningful debates, pass legislation, and hold the executive accountable.

Adjournment of Sessions: Parliamentary sessions are frequently adjourned, further limiting the time available for legislative business and impeding the functioning of Parliament.

Dominance of Presidential Ordinances: Presidential ordinances have become a parallel, and at times dominant, form of law-making. This bypasses the traditional legislative process and diminishes the role of Parliament in shaping and scrutinizing laws.

Limited Role of Backbenchers: Backbenchers, who are ruling party parliamentarians not part of the cabinet, play a crucial role in exercising checks over the executive. However, their influence and ability to dissent within Parliament have been curtailed.

Absence of Prime Minister’s Questions: Unlike other parliamentary democracies, the Indian Constitution does not provide for a dedicated session where the Prime Minister faces direct questioning from the Leader of the Opposition and other politicians. This diminishes the opposition’s ability to hold the executive accountable.

Pakistan’s State-Sponsored Terrorism Threatens SCO’s Regional Security Efforts

The Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) recently convened in Goa to address pressing regional issues. Unfortunately, on the same day, the People’s Anti-Fascists Front (PAF), an offshoot of Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), claimed the lives of five Indian army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

Background: SCO’s Anti-Terrorism Agenda

The SCO’s origins trace back to the establishment of the Shanghai Five in 1996, consisting of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

In 1998, the group recognized the joint fight against separatism, extremism, and terrorism originating from the Af-Pak region as a top priority. The inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001 led to the organization’s renaming as the SCO.

Subsequently, the Regional Anti-Terrorists Structure (RATS) was formed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to institutionalize and consolidate anti-terrorism efforts within the SCO.

RATS facilitated joint counterterrorism exercises, training, and the preparation of countermeasures.

Pakistan’s Role in State-Sponsored Terrorism

Safe Haven for Terrorist Groups: Pakistan has served as a safe haven and provided sanctuary for various terrorist groups. These groups, such as the Taliban, Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), operate from Pakistani soil, carry out attacks in neighboring countries, and then seek refuge in Pakistan.

Training and Recruitment: Pakistan has been involved in training and recruiting terrorists. Extremist organizations have established training camps within Pakistan where individuals are indoctrinated, radicalized, and trained in various aspects of terrorism, including bomb-making, guerrilla warfare, and ideological indoctrination.

Financial and Logistical Support: Pakistan has been accused of providing financial and logistical support to terrorist groups. This support includes funding, weapons, ammunition, and intelligence assistance, enabling these groups to carry out their activities with impunity

State-Sponsored Radicalization: Pakistan has promoted and facilitated the radicalization of individuals, both within its own territory and abroad. Madrasas (religious schools) in Pakistan have been accused of spreading extremist ideologies, fueling hatred, and recruiting individuals for terrorist activities.

Instrument of Influence: Pakistan has used terrorism as a tool to exert influence and control over regions and communities. By supporting and sponsoring terrorist groups, Pakistan seeks to manipulate political dynamics, create instability, and maintain a degree of control over areas of strategic importance.

Impact of Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

Loss of Lives: Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives, including civilians, security forces, and terrorists themselves. The region has witnessed numerous terror attacks, suicide bombings, and armed encounters, leading to a tragic loss of human lives.

Destabilization and Conflict: The continuous infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir has fueled instability and prolonged the conflict in the region. The presence of terrorist groups has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, hindering the social and economic development of the region.

Human Rights Violations: The activities of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups have been accompanied by human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. These violations include targeted killings, forced disappearances, torture, and intimidation of civilians, leading to a climate of fear and repression.

Disruption of Normalcy: The persistent threat of terrorism has disrupted normal life in Jammu and Kashmir. Educational institutions, businesses, and daily activities have been severely affected as people live under constant fear and uncertainty.

Obstruction of Peace Processes: Pakistan-sponsored terrorism acts as a major obstacle to the peace process between India and Pakistan. The violence and unrest created by these terrorist groups hinder any meaningful dialogue and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue.

SCO’s Limited Authority and Implications

Lack of Enforcement Power: The SCO does not possess strong enforcement power or mechanisms to compel member states to adhere to its mandates or take action against state-sponsored terrorism. It heavily relies on voluntary cooperation among member states, making it challenging to address non-compliance effectively.

Ineffectiveness in Holding States Accountable: The absence of robust mechanisms for accountability limits the SCO’s ability to hold member states accountable for their actions, including Pakistan’s involvement in state-sponsored terrorism. This undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the organization in addressing terrorism-related issues.

Risk of Becoming a Platform for Political Maneuvering: The limited authority of the SCO creates a risk that member states, including Pakistan, may use the organization as a platform for political maneuvering rather than genuinely addressing the issue of terrorism. Geopolitical rivalries and divergent interests among member states can impede the organization’s ability to effectively combat terrorism.

Compromised Regional Security: The limited authority of the SCO in dealing with state-sponsored terrorism hampers its ability to effectively address security threats in the region. This compromises the overall regional security and stability, as terrorist groups continue to exploit the gaps and operate with impunity.

Diminished Credibility: The inability of the SCO to take decisive action against state-sponsored terrorism can lead to a diminished credibility of the organization in the international community. The lack of concrete measures to address terrorism undermines its role as a regional security organization and casts doubts on its effectiveness

Withdrawal of ₹2,000 Note: A Tragi-Comic Episode in Demonetisation Saga

The withdrawal of the ₹2,000 note from circulation by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 19, 2023, marks the conclusion of a tumultuous chapter in the dramatic saga of demonetisation. The presence of this high-denomination note had been a constant reminder of the hardships faced by the people during the chaotic demonetisation period. The note’s withdrawal was long anticipated, given the government’s decision to cease its printing after 2018-19.

About the ₹2000 Notes

The ₹2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of RBI Act, 1934.

It primarily aimed to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after withdrawal of the legal tender status of all ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes in circulation at that time.

Reasons for withdrawal

Demonetization purpose served: Printing of ₹2000 notes was stopped in 2018-19 as other denominations became available in adequate quantities.

Clean Note Policy: This aims to provide good-quality currency notes with enhanced security features and withdraw soiled notes from circulation.

Ending timespan: Majority of the ₹2000 notes were issued prior to March 2017 and have reached their estimated lifespan of 4-5 years.

Disappeared from circulation: This denomination is not commonly used for transactions, and there is sufficient stock of banknotes in other denominations to meet public requirements.

The mixed impact of the withdrawal of the ₹2,000 note

Reduced Circulation: As of March 31, 2023, the ₹2,000 note accounted for only 10.8% of all notes in circulation, down from 37.3% on March 31, 2018. This significant reduction indicates that the withdrawal of the ₹2,000 note will have a relatively small direct impact on the overall currency circulation in the country.

Remnant of Demonetisation: The ₹2,000 note was closely associated with the 2016 demonetisation policy, which aimed to combat black money and promote a digital economy. Its withdrawal marks the end of a chapter in the demonetisation saga and symbolically represents the closure of that particular phase of currency reform.

Economic Stability: The note had been associated with various challenges, including logistical issues, poor printing quality, and difficulties in conducting transactions due to the scarcity of smaller denomination notes. Removing the note from circulation could help streamline currency operations and enhance confidence in the currency system.

Public Perception: The ₹2,000 note had become a symbol of the hardships and inconveniences faced by the public during demonetisation, with long queues and limited availability of smaller denomination notes. Its withdrawal may generate mixed reactions among the public.

Future Monetary Policy: The withdrawal of the ₹2,000 note raises questions about the potential introduction of a new higher denomination note or alternative measures to address currency logistics and store of value concerns. It may prompt policymakers to reassess the currency composition and devise strategies to meet the evolving economic requirements