Contents
- SC: Maradu Builders to provide a “concrete plan”
- Covid-19 Insurance for “green soldiers”
SC: MARADU BUILDERS TO PROVIDE A “CONCRETE PLAN”
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology
Why in news?
The Supreme Court asked the Maradu Towers builders’ lawyers to file their written submissions for a detailed hearing.
Background
- In 2006 Maradu Panchayat granted permission for the construction for five waterfront apartments overlooking the scenic canals of Kochi backwaters.
- But, just nine months after granting permission, the panchayat issued a notice to the builders following a directive by the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA).
- The government body said the site fell under the CRZ-III vulnerable category where no construction is allowed within 200 metres from the coast. Any such act will be identified and acted upon as a violation of the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) rules.
- It was also revealed that a directive issued by the KCZMA makes it mandatory for self-government bodies to obtain its clearance before approving constructions in coastal areas.
- But Maradu panchayat didn’t forward any application to gain a CRZ permit for the five complexes.
What is CRZ?
- The CRZ norms are framed under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles.
- No construction is allowed within 200 metres from the coast in areas falling under CRZ-III zone while it is 50 metres from for CRZ-II.
-Source: The Hindu
COVID-19 INSURANCE FOR “GREEN SOLDIERS”
Focus: GS-II Social Justice
Why in news?
Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Arunachal Pradesh has become the first in the eight-State northeast to provide insurance cover against COVID-19 for “green soldiers”.
Details
- 57 frontline staff (referred to as green soldiers) of the Park have been insured for nine months against health issues due to the infection by the Covid-19.
- The forest guards are rightly the green soldiers in the frontline of India’s wildlife, and the onus of wildlife conservation pretty much falls on them.
- The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO, paid the insurance amount with support from Foundation Serge.
- The NGO has been supporting India’s frontline forest staff with accident cover for the last 20 years.
- The insurance coverage is of Rs. 1 lakh each but a few who would be retiring soon has been insured for Rs. 50,000.
Pakke Tiger Reserve
- PTR (declared in 1999-2000) lies in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh and is also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
- It falls within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.
- It is home to over 2000 species of plants, 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, etc. Many species of the flora and fauna are globally threatened, and PTR is one of the last remaining strongholds left for these species.
- It is known for its amazing sightings of four resident hornbill species.
- The great hornbill is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and it is ‘vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List.
-Source: The Hindu
