IMPORTANT COMMITEES

Western Ghats Committees

Madhav Gadgil Committee Report on the Western Ghats – 2011

• The Gadgil Commission, established for environmental research, is named after its chairman, Madhav Gadgil.
• This commission is formally known as the ‘Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel’ (WGEEP). The commission submitted its report to the Government of India on August 31, 2011.

Recommendations of the Gadgil Committee:

• The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) declared the entire mountain range as an ‘Ecologically Sensitive Area’ (ESA).

• In its report, the committee classified the 142 taluks situated within the boundaries of the Western Ghats into Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) 1, 2, and 3.

• Since the ESZ-1 zone was considered to be of the highest priority, almost all types of developmental activities (such as mining, thermal power plants, etc.) were restricted within this zone. 
• The Gadgil Report recommended that  no permission should be granted for any new large-scale water storage dams within ecologically sensitive zones.
• The Gadgil Committee Report emphasized that the current framework for environmental governance must be overhauled. Instead of a ‘top-down’ approach, it called for a ‘bottom-up’ approach. Furthermore, it recommended the decentralization of power and the granting of greater authority to local self-governing bodies.
• The Committee recommended the establishment of a statutory body—the ‘Western Ghats Ecology Authority’ (WGEA)—to function under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Kasturirangan Committee (2013) on the Western Ghats

• • The Kasturirangan Committee was constituted to review the report submitted by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
  • This committee is frequently referred to as the ‘High-Level Working Group.’

• This refers to the 10-member High-Level Working Group (HLWG) headed by Kasturirangan.

Recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee Report

• • According to the Kasturirangan Report, rather than encompassing the entire geographical expanse of the Western Ghats, only 37% of the region (specifically, 60,000 sq. km) should be designated as an ‘Ecologically Sensitive Area’ (ESA).
  • A complete ban should be imposed on mining, quarrying, and sand extraction activities within the designated Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
  • A distinction must be drawn between ‘Cultural Landscapes’ (areas within the Western Ghats—comprising 58% of the total region—that are occupied by human settlements, agricultural lands, and plantations) and ‘Natural Landscapes’ (areas of which, according to the Committee, 90% should be brought under the purview of the Ecologically Sensitive Area designation).
  • Thermal Power Plants should not be permitted; hydroelectric projects must be authorized only after a comprehensive study.
  • Highly polluting “Red Category” industries must be strictly prohibited in these regions.
  • The Kasturirangan Report on the Western Ghats has put forth several recommendations favorable to farmers, including the exclusion of inhabited areas and plantations from the purview of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).

• The Kasturirangan Report had stated that 123 villages fall within the limits of the Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).

Current Facts

• The Punchhi Commission recommended that government formation should be based on the widest legislative support.
  • Order of preference
    • Pre-poll alliance with majority 
    • Largest single party with support 
    • Post-poll coalition (all partners in government) 
    • Post-poll alliance with outside support 
• Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 
  • Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 aims to prevent smuggling and regulate trade in cultural artefacts.
  • Defines antiquities as objects over 75 years old, including sculptures, coins, manuscripts, and carvings.
  • Implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India and came into force in 1976.
• Sarkaria Commission 1988 have highlighted the importance of giving Governors reasonable time to “explore alternatives with political parties, groups and Independent MLAs” to form a stable government. The phrase “reasonable time” is not defined in the Constitution. 
• A nine-judge Bench in the 1994 S.R. Bommai judgment, while endorsing this hierarchy of preference, liberally added that the Governor could either go for the single largest party or “group”. It did not matter whether the “group” was formed before or after the election. It would be a case of failure of constitutional machinery if these alternatives fail, and no party or group is able to command a majority to form a popular government.
• The Supreme Court, in its seven-judge Bench judgment in Rameshwar Prasad versus Union of India 2006, has also cautioned against Governors misusing their office for partisan politics. The case flagged the criticism recorded in the Sarkaria Commission that Governors have, more often than not, used their powers to recommend President’s Rule under Article 356 to “promote the political interests of the party in power at the Centre”.
• Cyphostemma annamalaii
  • A new plant species Cyphostemma annamalaii was discovered by students of Annamalai University and their guide.
  • The species is named after Rajah Sir Annamalai.
  • It was found in the southern Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, specifically in Villupuram district at Sanjeevi hill (290 ft) at an elevation of 86 m.
  • Vitaceae, commonly known as the grape family, includes over 1,000 species across 20 genera. Cyphostemma is the second largest genus with about 250 species, found in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant was discovered at an elevation of 86 m in a tropical dry forest in Panaimalaipettai.
• Chief Election Commissioner Appointment (2023 Act)
  • The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 replaces the 1991 Act and regulates appointment, service conditions, and functioning of the Election Commission. 
  • In the Anoop Baranwal case 2023, the Supreme Court directed that appointments be made by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and Chief Justice of India until a law is enacted.
    
    • Under the 2023 Act, the Selection Committee includes the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, thereby excluding the Chief Justice of India.
    • Search Committee is headed by the Law Minister and shortlists five candidates, but the Selection Committee can consider names beyond this list.
    • Tenure is six years or up to 65 years of age, whichever is earlier, and reappointment is not permitted.
    • Salary is equivalent to that of a Supreme Court judge
    • The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge.
    • Election Commissioners can be removed on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
    • Samagra Shiksha Scheme 
      • Samagra Shiksha Scheme is an integrated scheme launched in the Union Budget 2018–19 covering school education from pre-primary to senior secondary (up to Class 12).
      • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented in partnership between the Centre and States/UTs.
      • It subsumes earlier schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE).
      • It aims to support implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the Right to Education Act, and the National Education Policy.
    • Hantaviruses are a group of zoonotic viruses transmitted by rodents. They cause two main diseases: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which leads to severe respiratory distress, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which causes internal bleeding and kidney failure.
    • Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) – 1990

    Formation of HACA

    • The Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) in Tamil Nadu was established on April 2, 1990.
    • It was constituted under a Government Order issued by the Planning and Development Department.
    • ts primary objective is to protect the ecologically highly sensitive hill and upland regions from unregulated development.

    Why HACA Was Created in 1990

    • During the late 1980s and early 1990s, rapid urban and industrial growth began to adversely affect the natural ecosystem of the hill areas.
    • Consequently Issues such as 
      • environmental degradation,
      • destruction of forest ecosystems, and
      • loss of biodiversity became increasingly prevalent.
    • To mitigate these adverse impacts and to conserve the natural resources of the hill areas, the Government of Tamil Nadu established HACA.
      Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
      • The Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a highly contagious and often fatal RNA virus that affects dogs and wild carnivores worldwide. 
      • It spreads primarily through respiratory droplets (via coughing and sneezing) and causes a disease that impacts multiple body systems, manifesting as fever, respiratory and gastrointestinal disturbances, and—frequently—life-threatening neurological complications.
      • Although there is currently no specific cure for this disease, highly effective vaccines are available and currently in use to prevent this infection.

      
      THIRUKKURAL 

      On no right system if man toil and strive, 

      Though many men assist, no work can thrive

      • EXPLANATION: The work, which is not done by suitable methods, will fail though many stand to uphold it.
      • Thirukkural Chapter: The Manner of Acting with Forethought