Why in news?

Recently, the Centre approved a major overhaul of the Agnipath scheme, allowing all Agniveers undergoing training to eventually join the armed forces as regular soldiers.

The change comes as the first batch of Agniveers nears completion of their four-year tenure this month. However, officials clarify this is not a return to pre-Covid regular recruitment — it retains the scheme’s core structure with modifications.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Agnipath Scheme
• What Has Changed?
• The Seva Nidhi Package
• Scale of Impact
• Why This Isn’t “Regular Recruitment”
• How It Differs from Pre-Covid Recruitment?
• Benefits for the Military

Agnipath Scheme

• Introduced in 2022, Agnipath recruits candidates aged 17.5 to 21 years into the Army, Navy, and Air Force for a four-year tenure.
• Recruits are called Agniveers.

What Has Changed?

• 25% of Agniveers continue to be selected on merit for absorption as regular soldiers after four years — unchanged from the original scheme.
• The remaining 75%, who earlier exited with the Seva Nidhi package, will now get an additional two-year engagement (total six years), after which they too can join as regular soldiers — subject to willingness and meeting selection criteria.
• Net effect: 100% of Agniveers now get a pathway to permanent service, though not simultaneously or automatically.

The Seva Nidhi Package

• A compulsory retirement-cum-transition fund: 30% of an Agniveer’s salary is deducted monthly and deposited into the Agniveer Corpus Fund, matched by the government.
• On completing four years, Agniveers receive a tax-exempt lump sum of ~₹11.71 lakh (with interest).
• Those opting for the two-year extension get enhanced pay and an enhanced Seva Nidhi package if they later choose not to join the forces.
• Trade-off: Agniveers serving the extended term lose eligibility for reserved quotas in paramilitary forces, PSUs, and state government jobs.
• No Agniveer receives monthly pension or gratuity.

Scale of Impact

• Over 3 lakh Agniveers are currently training across the three services.
• Army: ~2.8 lakh Agniveers, with ~19,000 completing their four-year tenure this round.
• Navy: ~2,500 completing tenure this month.
• Air Force: ~2,900 completing training as the first IAF batch, next month.

Why This Isn’t “Regular Recruitment”

• Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani clarified that Agnipath continues, only with modifications:
  • Only 25% are selected as regular soldiers immediately after four years, on merit.
  • The rest must complete a total of six years before becoming eligible.
  • Seniority-wise, those joining after the two-year extension rank below batchmates absorbed after four years.

How It Differs from Pre-Covid Recruitment?

• Agniveers thus retain the choice to leave or continue at two stages — a flexibility absent in the old system — backed by the Seva Nidhi cushion if they exit.
• 

Benefits for the Military

• No major pension savings, even with 100% absorption, since benefits still apply.
• Helps address the personnel shortage caused by halted recruitment during Covid-19 — critical given post-Galwan and post-Operation Sindoor security demands.
• Fosters competitive spirit, as Agniveers strive to be among the top 25% selected early.
• Creates a blended force: experienced soldiers alongside a youthful Agniveer cohort.
• Those who leave after service gain transferable skills and training for civilian careers.

Conclusion

The revamped Agnipath scheme expands opportunity without abandoning its core philosophy of selective, merit-based, staggered absorption.

By offering all Agniveers a pathway to permanence — rather than guaranteeing it — the government balances the armed forces’ need for a youthful, cost-effective force with addressing personnel shortages and improving retention incentives, while preserving the competitive, choice-driven structure that distinguishes Agnipath from the pre-Covid system.

Why in news?

The Indian Patent Office has rejected a patent application for BPaL — a combination of three tuberculosis drugs (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid) — filed by the US-based TB Alliance.

Experts have welcomed this as a major step toward making drug-resistant TB treatment more affordable in India, which bears nearly a quarter of the world’s TB burden, with an incidence rate of 187 cases per 100,000 people (2024).

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What Is BPaL?
• Why Was the Patent Rejected?
• What Does This Mean for Patients?
• Will Treatment Become Cheaper?
• Important Distinctions to Note
• Quality Concerns

What Is BPaL?

• A six-month, all-oral treatment regimen recommended by the WHO for eligible drug-resistant TB patients.
• Combines three drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid and Linezolid.
• A related regimen, BPaLM, adds a fourth drug, moxifloxacin, recording an 89% success rate — far higher than the 52–75% success of older regimens.
• Over 15,000 patients have already started BPaLM treatment under India’s National TB Programme.
• Unlike older regimens requiring many months of antibiotics and painful injections, BPaL offers a shorter, oral course — reducing physical, financial and emotional burden.

Why Was the Patent Rejected?

• The rejection followed two pre-grant oppositions filed in 2020 — formal legal challenges allowing individuals/organisations to contest a patent before it’s granted.
• With this ruling, every bedaquiline-related patent application challenged in India has now been refused — including the salt form (2023), paediatric formulation (2024), long-acting injectable, and now BPaL.
• Experts call this a win against “evergreening” — the practice of seeking additional patents on minor modifications of existing drugs to extend exclusivity and delay generic competition.

What Does This Mean for Patients?

• No single company can now claim exclusive rights over the BPaL combination in India.
• Any TB drug manufacturer can produce it for India’s national programme and for export.
• This removes a legal barrier to competition — but doesn’t automatically lower prices or guarantee universal availability.
• Actual impact depends on: number of quality-assured suppliers, government procurement, and uninterrupted supply chains.
• Who Benefits Most - Patients with multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB), especially those facing financial hardship, treatment delays, or poor access to treatment centres.

Will Treatment Become Cheaper?

• Patients under India’s public health system already receive TB medicines free of cost — so the immediate financial benefit accrues to the government, which procures these drugs.
• Precedent exists: after the 2023 rejection of the bedaquiline salt patent, a six-month BPaLM course cost dropped from $588 (2022) to $284.
• Lower procurement costs mean the same budget could treat more patients, and greater competition could ensure more reliable supply.
• However, patients still face out-of-pocket costs for travel, additional tests, nutrition, and lost income — lower drug prices alone won’t eliminate these burdens.

Important Distinctions to Note

• Patent approval ≠ drug regulatory approval: A patent decides exclusivity rights; India’s CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) separately decides if a drug can be marketed.
• CDSCO has already approved bedaquiline and pretomanid for use under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP); linezolid and moxifloxacin are older, already-used antibiotics.
• WHO prequalification (assessing quality/safety/efficacy) also does not substitute for Indian regulatory marketing permission.
• Rejection of the patent is not automatic permission for unrestricted commercial sale.

Quality Concerns

• Generic medicines must contain the same active pharmaceutical ingredients and meet regulatory standards.
• Experts stress that quality checks must continue even as more manufacturers enter the market.

Conclusion

India’s rejection of the BPaL patent marks a significant victory against pharmaceutical “evergreening” and reinforces India’s role as the “pharmacy of the developing world.”

While it opens the door to generic competition and potential cost savings for the government’s TB programme, real impact for patients will depend on scaling up access, ensuring reliable supply chains, and maintaining drug quality — essential steps if India is to meaningfully advance its fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Why in the News?

• The Supreme Court, in Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish (2026), recognised the importance of internet access for children and emphasised the need to balance digital freedom with age-appropriate safeguards.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Internet Access as Fundamental Right (Constitutional Framework, Global Approach, Judicial Developments, Balancing Freedom & Safety, etc.)

Internet Access as a Fundamental Right

• Access to the internet has become essential for education, information, communication, creativity and participation in modern society.
• The Supreme Court's observations in Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish (2026) reinforce the importance of internet access, particularly for children, as a gateway to knowledge, creativity and self-expression.
• The constitutional basis for this right can be understood through the following provisions:
  • Article 19(1)(a): Guarantees freedom of speech and expression, which includes the ability to access, receive and communicate information through the internet.
  • Article 19(1)(g): Protects the freedom to practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business, including activities conducted through the internet.
  • Article 21: Protects life and personal liberty, encompassing the broader right to live with dignity and access essential opportunities in a digital society.

Constitutional Framework: Authority-Liberty Coordination

• A constitutional democracy must maintain a balance between the authority of the State and the liberty of citizens. This principle can be described as authority-liberty coordination.
• Reasonable restrictions are necessary to reconcile individual freedoms with wider social interests. The Constitution places limits on both State authority and the exercise of individual liberty.
• Excessive State interference can lead to authoritarian tendencies and undermine fundamental freedoms.
• Unrestrained exercise of individual rights can disregard legitimate social interests and public safety.
• The objective is to ensure that restrictions remain constitutionally justified, proportionate and consistent with democratic principles.
• In the context of children's internet access, this means protecting children from harmful online experiences without unnecessarily restricting their fundamental freedoms.

Global Approaches to Children's Online Safety

• Several countries have introduced restrictions or safeguards to regulate children's access to social media and digital platforms.

                        Image Caption: Global Approaches to Children's Online Safety

• In India, States such as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have also considered measures to regulate children's screen time.
• These approaches reflect growing concerns about excessive screen exposure, harmful online content and the vulnerability of children in digital spaces.
• However, regulatory approaches adopted by other countries cannot automatically be replicated in India. Restrictions must be evaluated in light of India's constitutional framework, social conditions and the importance of digital inclusion.

Judicial Developments on Internet Access and Digital Rights

• The Supreme Court has progressively recognised the relationship between digital access and fundamental rights through several important judgments.
• Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020)
  • The Supreme Court held that freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), and the freedom to carry on trade or business under Article 19(1)(g), are protected when exercised through the internet.
  • The judgment also emphasised that restrictions on internet services must satisfy constitutional requirements and be subject to judicial scrutiny.
• Pragya Prasun v. Union of India (2025)
  • The Supreme Court held that excluding persons with disabilities from digital Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures violated Article 21.
  • It recognised digital access as an intrinsic component of the right to life, highlighting the State's responsibility to ensure that digital systems are accessible and inclusive.
• Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal (1995)
  • The Court recognised that Article 19(1)(a) includes the right to know, receive and impart information and ideas.
  • This principle provides an important foundation for understanding access to information as an essential component of freedom of expression.
• Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish (2026)
  • The judgment highlighted the importance of internet access for children and challenged the assumption that safety and freedom are necessarily contradictory.
  • It emphasised that protecting children does not automatically require restricting their digital freedom. Instead, the focus should be on creating an environment in which children can explore the internet safely while exercising their fundamental rights.

Balancing Digital Freedom with Online Safety

• The central challenge is to ensure that protective measures do not unnecessarily undermine children's access to information and opportunities.
• A blanket prohibition on internet or social media access may prevent children from benefiting from educational resources, digital services and opportunities for self-expression.
• Instead, a preventive and collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders is necessary.
• Role of Parents and Guardians
  • Parents should encourage responsible internet use, establish age-appropriate boundaries and help children recognise online risks. Digital awareness should focus on informed decision-making rather than excessive restrictions.
• Role of Government
  • The government should establish appropriate regulatory frameworks to restrict harmful content, protect children's privacy and ensure accountability of digital platforms.
• Role of Educational Institutions
  • Schools and educational institutions should integrate digital literacy and cyber safety awareness into education, enabling children to identify risks and use online resources responsibly.
• Role of Digital Service Providers
  • Technology companies and online platforms should strengthen content moderation, privacy safeguards, age-appropriate settings and mechanisms for reporting harmful activities.
  • The emphasis should be on preventive safeguards and shared responsibility rather than restricting children's fundamental rights as a corrective measure after harm has occurred.

Why in News?

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in six States and Union Territories following the completion of the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
• Simultaneously, it has issued a revised work-allocation order to strengthen administrative oversight of its Information Technology (IT) division amid concerns over the centralisation of electoral roll management.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Electoral Rolls
• Safeguards Against Arbitrary Deletions
• Delay and Transparency Issues
• ECI's Revised Work Allocation and IT Oversight
• Revised Work Allocation
• Significance for Electoral Governance

Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Electoral Rolls:

• Objective: To ensure accurate, inclusive and updated electoral rolls by enrolling eligible voters, particularly young and first-time electors.
• Key features and timeline:
  • Coverage: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
  • Advance enrolment: Eligible citizens who will attain 18 years on April 1, July 1 and October 1, 2027, can submit advance applications.
  • Polling station rationalisation: Rearrangement of polling stations must be completed by November 20.
  • Draft electoral rolls: Scheduled for publication on November 30.
  • Claims and objections: Accepted from November 30 to December 30.
  • Disposal of claims: To be completed by January 16.
  • Final electoral rolls: Scheduled for publication on January 21, 2027.
• Chief Secretaries have been directed to ensure adequate manpower and administrative resources for the exercise.

Safeguards Against Arbitrary Deletions:

• To prevent wrongful exclusion of voters -
  • Applications for deletion involving repeated or multiple entries must undergo field verification.
  • Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) must personally cross-check deletions exceeding 2% of electors at a polling station.
  • Furnishing Aadhaar details in Forms 6 (new enrolment) and 8 (correction, shifting or replacement of EPIC) remains voluntary.
  • No application for voter enrolment can be rejected merely because the applicant has not provided Aadhaar details.
• Significance: These safeguards seek to balance electoral roll accuracy with the constitutional principle of universal adult suffrage under Article 326.

Delay and Transparency Issues:

• Concerns:
  • The delay in conducting SSR in States where SIR had been completed became a point of disagreement within the ECI.
  • Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised concerns, including difficulties faced by citizens attaining voting age in registering themselves.
• Changes made:
  • A significant transparency-related change is the provision of readable PDF copies of draft and final electoral rolls, without elector photographs, free of cost to political parties, alongside physical copies.
  • Candidates will also be provided alphabetically arranged readable PDF electoral rolls in electronic storage devices on payment at the time of elections.
• Significance:
  • This partially addresses the Opposition's demand for machine-readable electoral rolls to facilitate comparison with previous lists and identify anomalies.
  • Earlier, the ECI had expressed concerns that providing such data could compromise electoral roll integrity and enable manipulation.

ECI's Revised Work Allocation and IT Oversight:

• Background:
  • The ECI's internal functioning came under scrutiny following a work-allocation order that reassigned IT and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) responsibilities.
  • The order placed Director General (IT) Seema Khanna's work directly under the Election Commission, removing the earlier layer of oversight by a Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC).
  • Election Commissioners objected to the order, arguing that it had been issued without the Commission's approval.
  • They raised the matter with Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan, citing concerns over administrative functioning and access to electoral management systems.
• Concerns regarding centralisation:
  • The ECI's IT division manages two important digital platforms -
    • ECINet: Facilitates citizen engagement and participation in the electoral process.
    • ERONet: Supports election officials in managing electoral registration and related processes.
  • The two Election Commissioners reportedly expressed concerns that field-level officers were not receiving adequate access to ERONet, potentially resulting in the centralisation of electoral roll management.

Revised Work Allocation:

• The latest order seeks to reaffirm the existing oversight structure -
  • Senior DEC Pawan Kumar Sharma has been assigned responsibility for IT/ICT.
  • DG (IT) Seema Khanna will route files concerning these functional divisions through the Senior DEC.
  • The ECI maintains that the revised arrangement reflects a unanimous decision and that the DG (IT) has always reported to a DEC-level officer.
  • The earlier order was reportedly never implemented following the joint direction issued by the two Election Commissioners.
• Additional administrative changes: The revised order also assigns responsibilities to the newly appointed DEC Prakash Rajpurohit -
  • Election planning, Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and delimitation have been assigned to him, among other subjects.
  • He will support Senior DEC Maneesh Garg on election planning.

Significance for Electoral Governance:

• Electoral inclusiveness: Timely revision and advance registration can reduce the exclusion of young and first-time voters.
• Transparency and accountability: Readable electoral rolls facilitate scrutiny by political parties and improve public confidence in electoral processes.
• Institutional accountability: Clear reporting structures and collective decision-making within the ECI are essential for maintaining institutional integrity and preventing excessive administrative centralisation.
• Important legal - constitutional provisions underpinned:
  • Article 324: Vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the ECI.
  • Article 326: Provides for elections based on universal adult suffrage.
  • Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950: It provides the statutory basis for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
  • Democratic principle: Electoral integrity requires both the inclusion of every eligible voter and the exclusion of ineligible entries, without arbitrary disenfranchisement.

Context

• Scientific research advances knowledge, addresses societal challenges and strengthens national development.
• Indian scientists deserve recognition for their contributions, and international visibility is one form of appreciation.
• However, the growing presence of Indian researchers in the top 2% scientists’ database should not become the ultimate measure of scientific excellence.
• The real value of research lies in its originality, quality, innovation and societal impact. Treating rankings as definitive indicators risks overlooking meaningful scientific contributions.

Understanding the Top 2% Scientists’ Database

• Purpose and Methodology
  • Developed by John Ioannidis and his collaborators, the database uses publication and citation records from Scopus to identify influential researchers across scientific disciplines.
  • However, its creators caution against treating inclusion as conclusive evidence of research excellence.
• Limitations of the Database
  • First, it relies on publication and citation records without independently verifying research originality.
  • Second, inaccuracies in author profiles and disciplinary classification can affect rankings. Third, research published in regional languages remains inadequately represented.
  • Its impact scores also depend partly on authorship positions in multi-author publications, although authorship conventions differ across disciplines.
  • Moreover, citation counts cannot establish whether a research paper is appreciated, criticised or merely mentioned.
  • An analysis by John Philip in 2023 found that 12 of 71 Physics Nobel laureates and two of 66 Chemistry Nobel laureates from 1998–2022 were missing from the database.
  • This demonstrates that exclusion does not necessarily indicate a lack of scientific merit.

Implications for Research

• Distinguishing Scientific Research from Scientific Communication
  • A 2026 study published in Scientometrics identified science journalists Clare Dyer and Jacqui Wise in the 2025 database.
  • Although science journalism deserves recognition, its contribution differs from original scientific investigation.
  • The same study identified an author associated with 217 retracted papers in the database.
  • These examples raise concerns about the database's ability to distinguish research quality, scientific communication and research integrity.
• Pressure on Young Researchers
  • Excessive emphasis on rankings could influence research priorities in India.
  • Young scientists may prefer popular subjects that attract citations rather than pursue intellectually challenging questions aligned with their interests.
  • Fundamental research requires patience, sustained investment and long-term commitment, as discoveries often take years to produce measurable results.
  • Similarly, applied research requires prolonged experimentation and technological development.
  • Prioritising immediate recognition could discourage innovative and unconventional research.

The Way Forward: Towards a Comprehensive Research Assessment Framework

• Balancing Fundamental and Applied Research
  • India needs both fundamental research and applied scientific innovation.
  • Fundamental research expands knowledge and lays the foundation for future discoveries, while applied research converts scientific understanding into practical solutions.
  • Therefore, research assessment must recognise different objectives and timelines instead of rewarding publications and citations alone.
  • Making database inclusion a primary target could undermine meaningful scientific progress.
• Learning from International Practices
  • International research assessment initiatives are increasingly moving away from excessive dependence on quantitative indicators.
  • For instance, the Swiss National Science Foundation asks applicants not to include citation counts, journal rankings or institutional rankings in their CVs.
  • This approach encourages evaluators to assess the actual quality and significance of research.
  • India should adopt a similar framework incorporating originality, scientific integrity, innovation, collaboration and societal relevance.
  • Peer evaluation and qualitative assessment must complement quantitative indicators.
• Recognising Diverse Scientific Contributions
  • India's scientific achievements demonstrate why excellence must be recognised beyond individual rankings.
    • Chandrayaan-3: Its successful landing near the Moon's south polar region demonstrated collective scientific expertise, advanced engineering and technological capabilities.
    • SHAKTI microprocessors: Developed at IIT Madras, they represent progress towards indigenous semiconductor technology.
    • NexCAR19 cancer therapy: Developed through collaboration involving IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre and ImmunoACT, it demonstrates India's capabilities in advanced cancer treatment.
    • Indigenous 4G technology stack: It reflects domestic innovation and technological self-reliance.
    • CERVAVAC vaccine: Developed by the Serum Institute, it represents an important contribution to affordable healthcare.
  • These achievements highlight the importance of teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration and indigenous innovation.
  • Scientists, engineers, technicians and institutions deserve recognition irrespective of their inclusion in international databases.

Conclusion

• India needs a scientific recognition system that values genuine contributions rather than numerical rankings.
• International databases can provide useful information about research visibility but should remain supplementary assessment tools.
• A strong scientific ecosystem must recognise those who discover, innovate, develop technologies, communicate knowledge and enable scientific progress.
• Encouraging intellectual independence, long-term research and socially relevant innovation will strengthen India's scientific capabilities.
• Ultimately, the true measure of scientific excellence is the advancement of knowledge and its contribution to humanity, not inclusion in a global ranking.

Context

• They devastate ecosystems, deplete natural resources, contaminate water bodies and destroy agricultural land, creating consequences that may persist for generations.
• Recognising this concern, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict in 2001.
• The environmental crisis in Gaza raises serious questions about international humanitarian law, environmental justice, state responsibility and the rights of occupied populations.

The Devastation in Gaza

• Destruction of Agricultural Resources
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in its September 23, 2025 report, Environmental Impact of the Conflict in the Gaza Strip, documented unprecedented ecological destruction resulting from prolonged hostilities.
  • The findings reveal that Gaza has lost 97% of its tree crops, 95% of its shrub land and 82% of its annual crops since 2023.
  • This destruction has severely undermined agricultural production, threatened livelihoods and intensified food insecurity.
• Contamination of Water and Marine Ecosystems
  • Freshwater resources have become critically scarce, with much of the remaining supply contaminated.
  • The destruction of sewage treatment facilities and piped water systems has aggravated pollution of underground aquifers.
  • Marine and coastal ecosystems are also likely to have suffered contamination.
  • These developments threaten public health and weaken the ecological foundations necessary for sustainable recovery.
• Destruction of Infrastructure and Soil Degradation
  • Approximately 78% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged or destroyed, generating nearly 61 million tonnes of debris.
  • The destruction of vegetation and soil compaction caused by military activities reduce water absorption, increase flood risks and restrict groundwater recharge.
  • These environmental consequences will complicate reconstruction and affect future generations.

Violations of Environmental Obligations

• International Legal Framework under PERAC
  • The ILC adopted 27 draft principles in 2022 under its report, Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts.
  • The UNGA formally took note of these principles on December 7, 2022.
  • The first principle establishes that environmental protection obligations apply before, during and after armed conflicts, including situations of occupation.
  • Environmental protection is therefore a continuing responsibility rather than merely a wartime obligation.
• Responsibilities of an Occupying Power
  • Under international law, an occupying power must administer and utilise natural resources for the benefit of the occupied population while ensuring environmental protection.
  • It must also integrate environmental considerations into the administration of occupied territory.
  • The ICJ's July 19, 2024 advisory opinion concerning Israel's policies and practices in the Palestinian Territory addressed the legal consequences of prolonged occupation, including resource-related practices.

International Responsibility and Reparation

• Principle 9 of PERAC establishes that a state committing an internationally wrongful act connected with armed conflict, resulting in environmental damage, bears international responsibility and must provide full reparation.
• Reparation must include damage to the environment itself.
• In Gaza, restoration would require rehabilitating agricultural land, rebuilding water and sanitation infrastructure, removing hazardous debris, addressing soil contamination and reviving damaged ecosystems.
• The ICJ's 2024 advisory opinion provides an important legal foundation for assessing the consequences of Israel's policies in the occupied territory.
• Accountability and environmental restoration are essential to preventing ecological destruction from becoming permanent.

Conclusion

• The environmental devastation in Gaza demonstrates that armed conflicts have consequences extending far beyond immediate military operations.
• The destruction of agricultural land, freshwater resources, sanitation systems and ecosystems threatens public health, human survival and sustainable development.
• The PERAC principles, international humanitarian law and ICJ jurisprudence provide important foundations for establishing state responsibility and securing reparation.
• However, effective implementation, independent environmental assessments and accountability remain essential.

About Prakasam Barrage:

• It is a modern regulator and road bridge located at the southern entrance of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
• It is built across the Krishna River.
• Construction:
  • It was constructed between 1954 and 1957 and inaugurated on December 24, 1957.
  • It replaced the old Krishna Anicut (built by Sir Arthur Cotton between 1852 and 1855), which suffered a major breach during severe floods in September
  • This is one of the earliest major irrigation projects in Southern India.
  • It was named after the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Tanguturi Prakasam.
• Purpose:
  • The scheme irrigates nearly one million hectares of land, converting the Krishna delta into a rich granary in Andhra Pradesh.
  • This barrage also supplies water to Buckingham Canal, which was constructed as an inland navigation canal initially but later used as an irrigation water supply canal.
  • While irrigation is a primary function, the barrage also plays a crucial role in flood control and maintaining ecological balance in the region.
• Features:
  • The structure runs nearly 1223 m and features 70 gates that regulate the flow of water.
  • Constructed primarily from locally sourced granite, the barrage exhibits significant thermal mass properties, which help in moderating temperature fluctuations in the surrounding environment.
  • The gates are engineered using high-strength steel, providing durability against the dynamic hydraulic forces exerted by the Krishna River.
  • The barrage's design incorporates a reinforced concrete structure that supports a series of sluice gates, allowing for precise control of water levels.
  • It has three canals (Bandar canal, Eluru canal, and Ryves canal) that run through the city of Vijayawada, giving it a Venetian look.
  • The famous Bhavani Island is situated amidst the backwaters of the barrage.

About Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in Sarangarh Tehsil, Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh.
• It was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and takes its name from Gomarda village within its boundary.
• It covers an area of about 278 sq.km.
• The terrain is gently undulating, with numerous boulders and rocks, unfit for cultivation.
• The rivers Laat and Manai flow through the core area, providing a vital year-round water source for wildlife, especially through the dry summer months.
• Flora:
  • The vegetation is typical Tropical Dry Deciduous forest that features tall trees, bamboo patches, and open grasslands.
  • It sustains a rich mosaic of Sal, Bija, Tendu, and bamboo forests.
• Fauna:
  • One of the most common species spotted are the various species of deer, including spotted deer and Chinkara.
  • Wild buffalos can be found roaming near water sources.
  • Other animals include tigers, leopards, Nilgiri, Sambars, Gaurs, Chausingha, Muntjac, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Dhole, or the wild dog, and the jackal.
  • Jungle Fowls, Hill Mynas, Wood Peacock, Green Pigeon, Quails, ParrotsStorks, Gray Partridges are popular species of avian fauna in the region.

What is Blackbuck?

• It is a medium-sized antelope belonging to the family Bovidae.
• Scientific Name: Antilope cervicapra
• It is the sole living member of the genus Antilope.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is native to the Indian subcontinent, with approximately 90% of its population currently found in India.
  • It primarily inhabits open grasslands, bushlands, scrublands, and dry thorn habitats.
  • In India, it is widespread in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and other areas throughout peninsular India.
  • It has been declared as the state animal by the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Features:
  • Blackbucks have slender and elegant bodies.
  • It is known for its beautiful spiraling horn Horns are found only in males. They are ringed at the base, twisted in a spiral with up to four turns.
  • Males are characterised by dark coats, while females are generally lighter in colour and often lack horns.
  • Young males and females are lighter in color, often yellowish-brown.
  • They have very good eyesight and are also very fast runners, which comprise their main defense against predators.
  • They have pointed and delicate hooves.
  • They are gregarious and social animals with herds generally ranging from 5 to 50 animals.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concerned.

About Disporum kamakhasiense:

• It is a new species of flowering plant.
• It was recorded at three locations: Garbhanga Reserve Forest in Assam, Laisong in Dima Hasao district, and the Barapani area of Meghalaya.
• The species grows in semi-evergreen forests at elevations ranging from around 200 to 1,100 metres.
• Researchers found it mainly on cliffs beneath bamboo forests, growing alongside other plant species.
• Its scientific name combines references to Kamrupa, the ancient name for Assam, and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, reflecting the regions where the plant was first collected.
• It is a perennial herb, belonging to the Colchicaceae family.
• Features:
  • It has several distinguishing characteristics, including its larger size, smooth leaves, and differences in its floral structure, particularly its longer flower stalks and shorter, thicker stamens.
  • The plant can grow up to 180 cm, considerably taller than its closest relative, Disporum calcaratum, which generally reaches around 100 cm.
  • It has extensively branched stems.
  • Its flowers are white and star-shaped, with distinctive straight spurs.
  • The leaves are dark green, glossy, and marked by seven prominent parallel veins.
  • It flowers between June and July and is expected to bear fruit from July to August.