1. Supreme Court Mandates Minimum 1 KM ESZ For Protected Forests
Tags: National News
In a significant order, the Supreme Court on 3 June directed that each protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary should have an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of 1 kilometre.
Directions of the court
The Court also directed that no permanent structure shall be allowed within the ESZ.
Mining cannot be permitted within a National Wildlife Sanctuary or a National Park.
If the existing ESZ extends beyond the 1 km buffer zone or if any statutory instrument prescribes a higher limit, such extended limit shall prevail.
The Chief Conservator of Forests of each state has been directed to make a list of the existing structures in the ESZ and submit a report to the court.
A three-judge bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and Aniruddha Bose, in its 60-page judgment, highlighted how the country's natural resources have been depleted over the years by mining and other activities.
What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
ESZ are also called Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs).
These are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
They also act as transition zones from areas of high security to areas of low security.
An ESZ can go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area, as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
2. SC objects to frivolous PIL petitions
Tags: National News
The Supreme Court has urged courts to be cautious while examining the locus standi in PILs to ensure that frivolous or private interests are not presented as genuine claims.
Supreme Court Justice B.R. Gavai and Hima Kohli initially imposed a fine of Rs 18 lakh on the plaintiff, i.e. Rs 1 lakh for each minute of the total 18-minute hearing.
However, the court later, in its order, reduced the amount to ₹ 2 lakh at the request of the plaintiff's counsel.
The bench criticised the highly derogatory practice of filing frivolous petitions wasting valuable time of the judiciary.
Court said this time can otherwise be utilised for addressing genuine concerns.
The petition alleges illegal excavation and construction work at the famous Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri.
What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Public interest litigation is the use of law to advance human rights and equality or to raise issues of wider public concern.
It was initiated by Justice PN Bhagwati in 1979.
The first reported case of PIL was Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar (1979).
This is in line with the principles enshrined in Article 39A [a] of the Constitution to protect speedy social justice with the help of law.
Filing of PIL
Any citizen can raise a public matter in the court by filing a petition-
Under Art 32 of the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court
Under Art 226 of the Indian Constitution, in the High Court
Under section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in a Magistrate’s Court
3. Telemedicine service 'eSanjeevani' integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Tags: National News
The National Health Authority (NHA) on June 3 announced the integration of eSanjeevani (telemedicine service of the Union Health Ministry) with its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
This integration allows the existing users of e-Sanjeevani to easily create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to add and manage their existing health records like prescriptions and lab reports etc.
Users will also be able to share their health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani which will help in better clinical decision making and ensure continuity of care.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to build a digital route to bridge the gap between existing digital health solutions and stakeholders in India.
The integration of e-Sanjeevani with ABDM is one such example where 22 crore ABHA holders can directly link and store their health records created through e-Sanjeevani in the health locker of their choice.
Users can share their already linked health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani, making the entire consultation process paperless.
About e-Sanjeevani
It was started in November 2019
It is also called the National Teleconsultation Service
Its aim is to provide healthcare services to patients in their homes.
It was conceptualised by the Mohali branch of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) as a Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine platform.
In March 2020, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched another variant of e-Sanjeevani for patient-to-doctor telemedicine.
On 13th April 2020, e-Sanjeevani OPD was launched to provide health services to the patients at their homes.
4. THE Asia University Rankings 2022
Tags: Popular International News
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has been ranked highest (42nd) among 71 Indian universities in the Asia University Rankings 2022 released by Times Higher Education (THE).
616 universities from 31 countries have been included in this latest edition.
India is the third-represented country in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2022, which includes 71 universities in India.
Only 4 Indian universities have been ranked in the top 100.
There has been a decline in the ranking of all the Indian institutions in the top-100 as compared to the previous year.
Major Indian Institutions and their Ranks in Asia University Rankings 2022
Institute | Rank |
Indian Institute of Science | 42 |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | 65 |
IIT Ropar | 68 |
IIT Indore | 87 |
IIT Gandhinagar | 120 |
Banaras Hindu University | 153 |
Jamia Millia Islamia | 160 |
JNU | 167 |
IIIT Delhi | 177 |
5. Turkey rejects Indian wheat consignment
Tags: International News
Turkish authorities refused permission to an Indian wheat consignment due to phytosanitary concerns.
With the return of this 15 million ton wheat consignment, the difficulties of the traders of India have increased.
Turkey is facing a severe wheat crisis.
The government of Turkey is exploring options to buy wheat from abroad.
Keeping in view the domestic demand, India has decided to ban the export of private wheat.
However, 12 countries have requested India for help.
Despite the export ban, India sent a consignment of 60,000 tonnes of wheat to Egypt.
Why Turkey rejected India's wheat consignment?
Turkey claims that Rubella virus has been found in these wheat.
Despite the wheat crisis in the country as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War, Turkey returned the consignment of Indian wheat.
There is a problem of phytosanitary in the wheat of the consignment.
Phytosanitary means a certificate issued by a competent government authority indicating that the particular material or shipment is free from harmful pests and diseases.
What is Rubella disease in humans?
Rubella is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets filled with germs into the air and on surfaces.
Symptoms may include fever, sore throat and rash on the face and rash that spreads to the rest of the body.
Until the 1960s, Rubella was a common childhood infection.
After the MMR vaccine came to the market, the virus stopped spreading in the United States around 2004.
The virus is still present in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
6. U.S. to send medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine
Tags: Defence International News
US President Joe Biden's administration has announced that it will send high-tech medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine.
Ukrainian leaders are constantly demanding this, struggling to stop Russia's growing hold in Ukraine's Donbass region.
Russia is making incremental progress in the Donbass, seeking to annex the remaining parts of the region.
In total, the United States has pledged nearly $5 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration.
The rocket systems are part of a new $700 million tranche of security assistance for Ukraine from the U S.
About the rocket systems
These include Helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, spare parts etc.
These rocket systems are capable of attacking Russia.
Any of these weapon systems could shoot down Russian if it was close enough to the border.
Medium-range rockets generally can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers).
The upgraded rocket system will give the Ukrainian military greater accuracy in targeting Russian assets inside Ukraine.
To Ukraine, the US is planning to send the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is mounted on a truck and can carry a container with six rockets.
7. India and Sweden Host Industry Transition Dialogue In Stockholm
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue on 2 June in Stockholm as a part of their joint initiative, Leadership for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
The LeadIT initiative focuses on areas that are major stakeholders in global climate action and require specific interventions.
This high level dialogue has made a significant contribution to the United Nations Conference 'Stockholm+50'.
Stockholm +50 is a World Environment Assembly held on 2 and 3 June to commemorate the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.
It sets the agenda for COP27.
Japan and South Africa are the latest members of the initiative.
At present, the total number of LeadIT members is 37, including countries and companies.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed the event.
He said it is a time to celebrate 50 years of collaborative action, as well as a time to introspect on what we have achieved so far and what remains to be achieved.
During the event, India chaired the Round Table Talks on priorities for implementation for 2022-23.
Countries and companies share their initiatives, success stories and plans for the future.
About Sweden
Capital - Stockholm
National Day - 6 June
Parliament - Called ‘riksdag’
Members of parliament - 349 in a single chamber
Head of state - King Carl XVI Gustaf; heir to the throne is Crown Princess Victoria
Total area - 528,447 sq km (fifth largest country in Europe)
Highest mountain - Kebnekaise (2,099 m)
Biggest lake - Vänern (5,650 sq km)
Currency - Swedish krona
8. Gun Control Legislation in Canada
Tags: International News
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled new legislation that would impose "some of the most stringent gun control measures" in decades, including a "freeze" on the country's handgun buying and selling.
This law will limit the capacity of magazines as well as ban toys that look like guns.
Under this new law, only sports shooters, Olympic athletes and security guards will be exempted from the handgun freeze.
In this law, the person who already has a gun will be allowed to keep it.
After the increasing incidents of shooting, the Canadian government has prepared this new plan to control gun culture.
About Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of total area.
It's only land bordering country is the United States, with which it shares the world's longest land border.
Capital - Ottawa
Prime Minister- Justin Trudeau
Currency- Canadian Dollar
9. Elon Musk tops list of highest-paid CEOs
Tags: International News
According to the Fortune 500 report, in the year 2021, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were in first place in terms of highest salary.
In the year 2021, Elon Musk has received $23.5 billion (Rs 1.82 lakh crore) as salary. This also includes encashing stock options issued in 2018, which had a deadline of 2021.
After Musk, the list of the 10 highest-paid Fortune 500 CEOs of 2021 features all tech and biotech CEOs, including the heads of Apple, Netflix and Microsoft.
Apple's Tim Cook was the second highest-paid CEO, who received $ 77.05 million (about six thousand crore rupees) as salary in 2021.
Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang came third on the list with $507 million.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who was at number seven in this list, has received $ 3094 million in the year 2021 as salary.
Top 10 Highest Paid CEOs
Elon Musk (Tesla) - $23.5 billion
Tim Cook (Apple) - $770.5 million
Jensen Huang (NVIDIA) - $561 million
Reed Hastings (Netflix) - $453.5 million
Leonard Schlieffer Regeneron (Pharmaceuticals) - $452.9 million
Marc Benioff (Salesforce) – $439.4 million
Satya Nadella (Microsoft) – $309.4 million
Robert A. Kotik (Activision Blizzard) - $296.7 million
Hawk E. Tan (Broadcom) - $288 million
Saffra A. Katz (Oracle) - $239.5 million
10. India-Bangladesh Rail Link
Tags: National International News
Passenger train services between India and Bangladesh resumed, Bandhan Express departed from Kolkata for Khulna and Maitree Express started from Dhaka to Kolkata.
The Bandhan Express was resumed rail link between Kolkata and the industrial hub of Khulna.
Khulna is the third-largest city of Bangladesh.
In 1965, the Barisal Express was introduced on this route, which was stopped due to the Indo-Pakistani War.
The government of India along with the Bangladesh government restarted that with Bandhan express in 2017.
Bandhan Express was the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment in April 2008.
It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna via Petrapole and Benapole border route to meet the demands of the people of both the countries.
Other works towards strengthening the rail link
In August 2021, the two sides started regular movement of freight trains between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh.
The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link between India and erstwhile East Pakistan was also operational till 1965 which was closed due to war.
It was part of the broad gauge main road from Kolkata to Siliguri at the time of partition.
At least 20 freight trains per month are planned to cross the border on this link by both sides.
