Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

The Government today issued the Final Notification for an Eco-Sensitive Zone area of 59.46 sq kms of which 19.25 sq km is forest land and 40.21 sq km is non-forest land in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai suburb. Announcing the decision, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, said, "After completing all processes, the final notification has been done. Now from its boundary, 100 metres to upto 4 kms, we have marked it. The extent (of ESZ) varies at different places taking into consideration its geographical area. No construction will take place in this (ESZ) area”.  The Minister added that the step has been taken with a view to avoid man-animal conflict.

The Eco-Sensitive Zone has a minimum extent of 100 metres and maximum extent of up to 4 km from the Park boundary.   The objective of notifying Eco-Sensitive Zones is to create a buffer as further protection around Protected Areas (PAs) such as National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries. 

The Notification also provides that in areas around Housing Societies and with high human habitation, and in view of the fact that the National Park has a large population of leopards, a high wall with fencing may be erected to ensure that man-animal conflict is avoided.

Background

 In order to conserve and protect the unique habitat in and around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a draft notification S.O (229 (E) was published on 22.01.2016 around the Park as Eco-Sensitive Zone from ecological and environmental point of view and for regulating development around the National Park. 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had received a large number of responses from elected representatives, various organisations and agencies such as the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation and others on the Draft Notification. 

Taking these into consideration, an area of 1.65 sq km land for the Mumbai Metro Rail Shed of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, temple etc has been excluded in the Final Notification published on 05.12.2016. 

Due to its unique location in the middle of a bustling city, any new construction within ESZ shall be in accordance with Bombay Municipal Bye-Laws and Approved Development Plans and applicable laws and regulations under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and vide provisions of the ESZ notification. 

About Sanjay Gandhi National Park 

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is spread over three districts – Palgar, Thane and Mumbai Suburb and falls within the Tehsils of Kurla, Borivalli and Thane. The National Park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna and harbours approximately 800 species of flowering plants, 45 species of mammals, 43 species of reptiles, 38 species of snakes, 12 species of amphibians, 300 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies. Notable amongst them are large mammalian species such as leopard, wild boar, four-horned antelope, black-naped hare, wild cat, jackal and porcupine and many bird species such as Lesser grebe, Purple Heron, Smaller Egret, Lesser Whistling Teal, Pariah Kite. Many reptiles, including snakes as Indian Cobra and Viper are also found in the National Park. 

UPSC IAS-2016 MAINS GS PAPERIV

 

UPSC IAS-2016 MAINS GS PAPERIV

Analysis:Easy questions in theoretical part .new type of question and format in case studies.over all lengthy and still marks fetching.

 

UPSC (IAS)-2016 MAINS GS PAPER 3

UPSC (IAS)-2016 MAINS GS PAPER 3

Analysis: GS PAPER III is as usual current affairs based but more related to socio economic policy rather than basic part. New programmes and policies and challenges in their implementation was main concern of UPSC .

11 questions were covered by samveg ias mains test series -2016.

Q1 How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

Q3 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poor section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

Q4 What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

Q5 Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.

Q6 What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.

Q9 Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
Q10 Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Q11 Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Q12 Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

Q16 With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
Q17 The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

UPSC (IAS) -2016 MAINS GS PAPER II

UPSC (IAS) -2016 MAINS GS PAPER II

Analysis: GS PAPER II was moderately difficult.but as we suspected that this time upsc may ask question from basic part ,this has happened .questions were lengthy but approachable.

Nearly 8 questions directly can be traced to samveg ias mains test series.

Q1 Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?
Q4 Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

Q8 What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
Q13 Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
Q16 “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
Q17 The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
Q18Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
Q19 “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.

GS2 Mains-Topicwise Questions since Syllabus change

GS2 Mains-Topicwise Questions since Syllabus change

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies (GS) papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-2 deals with Polity, Governance, Welfare and International-Relations (IR)

Category	GSM-2	2013	2014	2015	2016
Polity	Basic Str.	10	12.5	37.5	12.5
Polity	Executive	10	25	0	0
Polity	Legislature	10	12.5	0	12.5
Polity	Power Sep.	10	12.5	12.5	12.5
Polity	Fed-Local	30	12.5	25	37.5
Polity	Bodies	20	25	25	25
Welfare	Social Service, Sectors	50	62.5	37.5	50
Governance	Accountability	20	0	25	25
Governance	Groups-NGO,Pressure,IAS	20	25	37.5	25
IR	Neighbours	50	12.5	25	12.5
IR	Non-Neighbours	10	0	12.5	12.5
IR	Inst., Group,Agreements	10	50	12.5	25
	Total	250	250	250	250

GSM1-Topicwise Questions since Pattern change in 2013

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society and Geography. Overall breakup looks like this

Category	GS Mains Paper-1	2013	2014	2015	2016
History	Culture	20	40	25	25
History	Freedom struggle	30	30	25	37.5
History	World History	40	30	25	12.5
History	Post-independence	50	0	0	0
Society	Religion, Region, empowerment.	10	10	37.5	37.5
Society	Poverty, Population, Development	10	20	25	25
Society	Women	10	20	25	0
Geography	Climate	10	30	25	12.5
Geography	Resources	20	20	37.5	62.5
Geography	Urbanization	10	0	25	25
Geography	Physical	30	20	0	12.5
Geography	Industrial Location	10	30	0	0
	Total	250	250	250	250

Upsc (ias) -2016 mains paper :GS1

Upsc (ias) -2016 mains paper :GS1

Analysis : Paper was much more straight compare to last years.
Issues asked were in news and easily doable.This is going to be highly scoring .
11 QUESTIONS WERE DIRECTLY covered by SAMVEG IAS' IAS MAINS-2016 TEST SERIES.This is a NOT for propaganda but a real fact.
questions were :

Q3 Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

Q4 Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

Q5 Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

Q8 To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

Q9 “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Q11With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.”
Q12 What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.
Q16 South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.
Q18 Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
Q19Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
Q20 In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?