PIB Summaries 17 August 2023

CONTENTS

1. World Elephant Day
2. BOCW Scheme

 World Elephant Day 2023

Context:

Recently, on the occasion of World Elephant Day, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment highlighted various initiatives and accomplishments in India’s elephant conservation journey.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. World Elephant Day
2. Key Highlights of Elephants

World Elephant Day

• World Elephant Day, commemorated worldwide on August 12, serves as a dedicated occasion to raise awareness regarding the critical challenges elephants face and advocate for their protection and conservation.
• This day sheds light on various issues impacting elephants, including habitat loss, ivory poaching, human-elephant conflicts, and the pressing need for intensified conservation efforts.

Campaign Inception:

• The World Elephant Day campaign was launched in 2012 with the purpose of drawing attention to the dire situations faced by African and Asian elephants.
• Its primary goal is to foster a sustainable environment where animals are not exploited but are cared for.

Founders and Initiators:

• The initiative was initiated by Canadian filmmakers Michael Clark and Patricia Sims, in collaboration with the Thailand-based Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.
• Patricia Sims went on to establish the World Elephant Society in 2012, which has played a significant role in generating awareness about the threats elephants encounter and the urgent global need to safeguard them.

Objectives:

• The campaign aims to create a platform for highlighting the plight of elephants and advocating for their well-being.
• It strives to encourage global efforts for elephant conservation, ensuring their survival in the face of challenges.
• World Elephant Day stands as a testament to the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and communities worldwide, united in their commitment to safeguarding these majestic creatures from threats and ensuring a brighter future for them.

Key Highlights of Elephants: Biodiversity and Conservation

• The elephant holds the distinction of being India’s Natural Heritage Animal.
• Elephants are recognized as “Keystone Species” due to their pivotal role in maintaining forest ecosystem balance and health.

Intelligence and Brain Size:

• Elephants are known for their remarkable intelligence, possessing the largest brain size among all land animals.

Ecological Impact:

• Elephants are significant grazers and browsers, consuming substantial amounts of vegetation daily and dispersing seeds as they move.
• They influence the vegetation structure of landscapes, particularly in Asian environments.
• In forests, elephants create open areas by clearing trees, allowing sunlight to reach new seedlings and aiding natural forest regeneration.
• Elephants also dig for water, contributing to water access for various species.

Elephants in India:

• India hosts the largest number of wild Asian Elephants, estimated at around 29,964 according to the 2017 Project Elephant census.
• This accounts for roughly 60% of the global Asian Elephant population.
• Karnataka leads with the highest elephant population, followed by Assam and Kerala.

Conservation Status:

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species

• African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis): Critically Endangered
• African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana): Endangered
• Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus): Endangered

International Conservation Frameworks:

Convention on the Migratory Species (CMS):

• African Forest Elephant: Appendix II
• Asian Elephant: Appendix I

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

• African Savanna Elephant: Appendix II
• Asian Elephant: Appendix I

BOCW Scheme

Context:

Recently, the Minister of Labour and Employment provided valuable insights into the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 during a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Relevance:

GS II: Government schemes

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996: Overview and Recent Developments
2. Recent Enhancements in Registration Process

Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996: Overview and Recent Developments

Act’s Purpose and Significance:

• The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 (BOCW Act), is a crucial legislation aimed at protecting the rights and interests of workers within the construction sector.

Key Provisions of the BOCW Act:

• Establishment of State Welfare Boards: These boards administer welfare funds and offer benefits like accident insurance, medical assistance, education, housing, pension, etc., to registered construction workers.
• Regulation of Work Conditions: The Act governs work hours, overtime wages, prohibition of employment for specific individuals, and provisions for amenities such as drinking water, latrines, accommodation, etc.
• Safety Measures: Safety committees, safety officers, and health rules are mandated for ensuring the safety and well-being of building workers.
• Cess Collection: The Act permits the collection of a 1-2% construction cost cess by the Central government.
• Eligibility for Registration: Workers aged 18 to 60, engaged in construction work for at least 90 days in the previous year, can register as beneficiaries with State Welfare Boards.

Implementation of Welfare Schemes:

• State Welfare Boards manage welfare schemes, including life and disability coverage, health support, maternity assistance, transit housing, and skill development for workers.
• These initiatives uplift the livelihoods and welfare of workers contributing to the construction sector.

Recent Enhancements in Registration Process:

• Unique Identification Number: A unique identification number streamlines worker identification.
• Local Competent Officers: Appointment of officers at local levels simplifies the registration process.
• Self-Certification: Self-certification allows accurate information submission without physical presence.
• Facilitation Centers and Camps: Dedicated centers and camps ease the registration process for workers.