Content :
- An approaching milestone in constitutional governance
- The case for a nature restoration law in India
An Approaching Milestone In Constitutional Governance
Context:
26th November 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India. This milestone reflects how constitutional governance has shaped its democratic institutions and promoted national identity
Relevance: GS 2 (Indian Polity, Governance )
Practice question: Discuss the significance of India marking the 75th anniversary of its Constitution. In this context, Highlight the key areas India must focus on in the coming years . (250 words )
Five core constitutional values contributed to India’s democratic journey as highlighted by the article.
Respect for democratic institutions :
- Democratic Institutions: These are the structures and processes through which a democratic government administers.
E.g. Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Electoral system, etc
- Citizens’ respect for democracy is reflected in high voter percentages For example, 65.79% of voter turnout in the 2024 general elections.
- At certain times, citizens faced frustrations about political performances and elected representatives, but citizens’ trust in the election process and democratic institutions remained intact. Socioeconomic developments and improved standard of living and quality of life have further contributed to increased citizen engagement with democratic institutions.
Smooth transition of power:
- Political Maturity: Evident through the peaceful transfer of power post-elections.
- Stability in Governance: Political parties, regardless of ideologies, embraced outcomes.
- Electors remain the ultimate decision-makers through voting , reflecting their will .
Protection of rights and freedom :
- India is committed to individual freedom,as highlighted by the role of the judiciary in protecting fundamental rights.
Example: The Supreme Court’s ruling in the Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017) recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right.
- The framers of the Constitution prioritised citizens’ rights over state powers.
- Over a period of time, both constitutional freedoms and checks on state authority reinforced
Federalism as a key Pillar of constitutional Governance:
- The framers respected linguistic, cultural and other diversities and decided to protect the unique identities, tradition and culture of the states.
- They provided different autonomies and privileges, keeping in mind the unique history and culture of states.
- Inclusivity and equity were given due importance.
- The idea of federalism was further deepened at two important levels.
- The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which led to the establishment of local governments.
- The rise of state-level political parties.
Role of Media and Civil Society :
- The Media and civil societies are instrumental in promoting faith in democracy.
- Broadcasting and further innovations have democratised access to information.
- Multilingual media highlights the diversity.
- Media and civil societies challenge and criticise autonomy wherever it was necessary.
Way forward :
- Strengthening Democratic Institutions:
E.g. voter apathy among the urban and middle class. For instance, voter turnout in urban areas like Mumbai has often been below 50%.
- Ensuring Social Justice and Equality:
E.g. The top 1% holds over 40% of the wealth, highlighting the need for stronger redistributive policies
- Enhancing Judicial Reforms:
As of 2024, Over 4 crore cases are pending in Indian courts,
- Advancing Digital Governance: Currently only 40% of rural India has access to the internet.
- Protecting Secularism: Incidents like the 2020 Delhi riots threaten India’s secular fabric.
- Addressing Regional and Ethnic Tensions: The Manipur crisis highlights growing regional and ethnic tensions.
Conclusion :
India, with the 75th anniversary of its Constitution, has proven sceptics like General Claude Auchinleck and Winston Churchill wrong , who doubted India’s unity. The Constitution is evolving not only as a legal framework but also as a social and political framework.
The Case for a Nature Restoration Law in India
India needs to draw inspiration from the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and create a similar legislative framework to address the pressing issue of the degradation of the ecosystem in India.
E.g.India’s 30% geographical area under the verge of land degradation.
Relevance: GS3 (Environment )
Practice question: Discuss the issue of land degradation in India and its impact on both the economy and the environment. Explain how a nature restoration law can provide a potential solution. (250 words )
Key Features of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law (NRL) :
- Adoption and Objectives: The EU passed this law in June 2024, part of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal.
- Restoration Targets: Aim for a minimum of 20% of the EU’s land and sea restoration by 2030 and complete ecosystem restoration by 2050.
- Implementation: Restoration of rivers, planting three billion trees, and focusing on various ecosystems like forests, urban spaces, and agricultural lands.
India’s Environmental Challenges :
- The extent of Land Degradation: Nearly 97.85 million hectares (29.7% of India’s total area) are degraded as per ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas, with states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka most affected.
- Desertification: Approximately 83.69 million hectares are facing challenges of desertification impacts.
- Existing Programs: India has initiated programs like the Green India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and the National Afforestation Programme, but more concrete and legally binding targets are required.
Expected Features of Nature Restoration Law in India
- Restoration Targets:
- The aim to restore 20% of degraded lands by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050.
- Wetland Conservation:
- Aiming to restore 30% of degraded wetlands by 2030 , with a special focus on key wetlands like Chilika and Sunderbans.
- Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture:
- Promote sustainable practices and agroforestry, using biodiversity indicators like the butterfly index to monitor progress.
- River Restoration:
- Begin with major rivers , such as the Ganga and Yamuna, targeting pollution control and restoration of free-flowing rivers.
- Urban Green Spaces:
- Enforce a policy of no net loss of green spaces and encourage the development of urban forests in cities suffering from heat islands.
Economic and Social Benefits of Nature Restoration :
- Economic Gains: The World Economic Forum estimates that nature restoration could generate up to $10 trillion globally by 2030.
- Agricultural Productivity and Water Security.
- Job Creation: Large-scale restoration projects could create millions of jobs.
- Climate Mitigation: Healthy ecosystems function as carbon sinks, helping India meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Conclusion :
A nature restoration law can serve as a potential solution for the growing environmental crisis in India. It will help achieve sustainable development goals (SDG-15 ) related to forests and desertification.