Special Article

MANGROVES Cyclone Dana’s recent landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha highlighted the critical importance of mangrove forests in mitigating cyclone damage. Thanks to the extensive mangrove coverage in Bhitarkanika, the cyclone caused less destruction than expected. This resilience is a testament to the protective role mangroves play against natural disasters. What

WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM COP-16? The 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, and brought forward essential steps in global biodiversity conservation. At this conference, India launched its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity

CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION With climate change intensifying and temperatures rising, it’s essential to focus on both climate adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation involves adjusting to climate impacts, while mitigation aims to reduce emissions. Both are crucial for protecting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. What is Climate Adaptation and Mitigation? Climate Adaptation: Refers to making adjustments

UNPAID WORK AND ITS ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE Unpaid work, especially performed by women, is a crucial yet often overlooked contributor to the economy. It involves essential tasks that support households and communities but are not compensated financially. This type of labor, though vital to societal functioning, often remains invisible in economic assessments and policy discussions. Recently,

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LOCAL AREA DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (MPLADS) The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a contentious program in India. Advocates argue that it helps MPs address local development needs, while critics contend it undermines key constitutional principles like the separation of powers. Ongoing reports about incomplete projects and appeals for higher

UP MADARSA EDUCATION ACT UPHELD BY SC: WHAT WAS THE CASE? The Supreme Court recently upheld most of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2004, which regulates madrasa education in Uttar Pradesh. This decision overturned the Allahabad High Court’s earlier ruling that had deemed the Act unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court struck down sections

INDIA’S POTENTIAL ROLE IN RCEP AND CPTPP The CEO of NITI Aayog recently indicated support for India’s involvement in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This marks a potential shift in India’s trade policy, reflecting recommendations in the Economic Survey 2024, which suggests that deeper

TRIBAL POVERTY & MANGO KERNEL TRAGEDY In Odisha's Kandhamal district, the tragic deaths linked to mango kernel consumption highlight the severe livelihood challenges faced by tribal communities. Forced by poverty, food scarcity, and lack of resources, many tribal families turn to foraged foods like mango kernels despite the associated health risks. Mango kernels contain cyanogenic

SC ORDERS RE-EVALUATION OF ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY’S MINORITY STATUS The ongoing legal debate surrounding the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has reached a significant turning point with a recent Supreme Court judgment. In a 4:3 majority, a seven-judge bench of the Court overruled the 1967 decision in S. Azeez Basha vs. Union of