The proposed Lemru Elephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh, in the pipeline for 20 years, has become the subject of yet another controversy over the reduction of its size.
Lemru Elephant Reserve
The proposal for the reserve, in Korba district, was passed unanimously by the Assembly in 2005 and got central approval in 2007.
Lemru is one of two elephant reserves planned to prevent human-animal conflict in the region, with elephants moving into Chhattisgarh from Odisha and Jharkhand.
Its area was then proposed to be 450 sq km.
Why does the government want to reduce the size of the reserve?
The area proposed under the reserve is part of the Hasdeo Aranya forests, a very diverse biozone that is also rich in coal deposits.
Of 22 coal blocks in the area, seven have already been allotted with mines running in three, and in the process of being established in the other four.
Under the ‘No-Go Area’ policy from the UPA area, the entire area was considered out of bounds for mines, but in 2020, five coal blocks from the region were put on the auction list.
Why is the reserve important?
North Chhattisgarh alone is home to over 240 elephants.
Elephants in Chhattisgarh are relatively new; they started moving into undivided Madhya Pradesh in 1990.
Since these animals were relatively new, the human-animal conflict started once elephants started straying into inhabited areas, looking for food.
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Over 150 CivilsDaily Students are appearing in the UPSC interviews this year. YOU could definitely be next! And one very dominant factor in this turnaround is an impactful Civilsdaily Ecosystem. You would not just get a complete Prelims to Interview handholding but also a personal guide to help you finish each milestone.
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UPSC is the trickiest and uncertain exam in the world. It has a selection ratio of 0.1 per cent and to be selected for IAS, the selection ratio further falls to 0.01%. Now Suppose if we tell you that by Joining Civilsdaily’s Foundation program, this ratio increases to 80 per cent. How will you react?.
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Unfortunately, this program was only open to Veterans. We believe that with the same mentorship style, we can replicate the same success with Aspirants who have just started preparation and are targeting the 2022 UPSC exam. Why waste 5 years when you can crack the exam on the very first attempt.
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1.Fundamental mistakes committed by an aspirant which can cost you an attempt
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3.Blueprint of how your journey will be under my guidance till 2022 Mains.
4.Best practices that can help you increase your score in Prelims and Mains exam
5.Open Q&A session with me
6.CD softcopies for Preparation
We will discuss the MOST EFFECTIVE WAY of cracking this exam. And we will talk about the highly successful methods that are TRIED, TESTED and ENDORSED!
This is a webinar that can truly transform your preparation. All you need to do is register and watch!
Sajal Singh is an MS Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, MS Financial Economics from Carleton University Canada. NET(JRF) in Economics qualified. He had obtained the highest marks in GS papers in UPSC Mains 2017 and appeared in several UPSC CS interviews. He also heads the Civilsdaily flagship Smash Mains initiative with an over 80% success ratio in the Mains exam.
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UPSC is the trickiest and uncertain exam in the world. It has a selection ratio of 0.1 per cent and to be selected for IAS, the selection ratio further falls to 0.01%. Now Suppose if we tell you that by Joining Civilsdaily’s Foundation program, this ratio increases to 80 per cent. How will you react?.
You might think that we are cracking a joke. But fortunately, this is possible, which we achieved with the Smash Mains Program last year. 80 per cent success rate. (Read testimonials below)
Unfortunately, this program was only open to Veterans. We believe that with the same mentorship style, we can replicate the same success with Aspirants who have just started preparation and are targeting the 2022 UPSC exam. Why waste 5 years when you can crack the exam on the very first attempt.
I need 50 dedicated students who can give their 100 per cent for next 1 year. Follow whatever I tell you and I assure you that your chances of cracking the exam on the very first attempt would significantly increase.
To know more about how your journey will be under my guidance for the next 1 year. Please register for the open Webinar on Sunday.
1.Fundamental mistakes committed by an aspirant which can cost you an attempt
2.Sharing my best practices helped me score the highest marks in GS in the 2017 exam.
3.Blueprint of how your journey will be under my guidance till 2022 Mains.
4.Best practices that can help you increase your score in Prelims and Mains exam
5.Open Q&A session with me
6.CD softcopies for Preparation
We will discuss the MOST EFFECTIVE WAY of cracking this exam. And we will talk about the highly successful methods that are TRIED, TESTED and ENDORSED!
This is a webinar that can truly transform your preparation. All you need to do is register and watch!
Sajal Singh is an MS Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, MS Financial Economics from Carleton University Canada. NET(JRF) in Economics qualified. He had obtained the highest marks in GS papers in UPSC Mains 2017 and appeared in several UPSC CS interviews. He also heads the Civilsdaily flagship Smash Mains initiative with an over 80% success ratio in the Mains exam.
Covid-19 has pushed the world into a pervasive crisis encompassing every aspect of human life. With the passage of time, the trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods has grown starker.
This article attempts to relate the present crisis to the Gandhian way of thinking to arrive at some concrete take-homes.
Unprecedented uncertainty
The most fearsome feature of this pandemic is its uncertainty: from the symptoms and their absence to the possibility of its return with a vengeance, and the serious after-effects on the ‘recovered’ cases.
It is time to introspect about the wrongs we have committed as ‘civilized’ inhabitants of the earth which makes our ways of living so precarious, inequitable and unsustainable today.
Gandhi and the Pandemic
Beginning with the containment of wants, Gandhian economics, grounded on the premises of non-violence, truth and non-covetousness (Aparigraha/not possessing), is instantly antithetical to mainstream economics.
It is based on the principle of dignity of labour, self-sufficient and strong village economy and public trusteeship.
It offers an integrated view of managing economy, polity and society harmoniously. Gandhian thought can provide some critical insights during this exercise in introspection.
How is Gandhiji relevant in this pandemic?
(1) Gandhian principles
Non-violence: Squeezing wages and exploiting workers is also equivalent to violence. Creating circumstances that force people to migrate because of poverty might amount to violence at a societal level.
Non-possession: Unequal landholding is a manifestation of greed, which was sought to be corrected through the Bhoodan movement by Gandhiji’s illustrious disciple, Vinoba Bhave.
Self-sufficient villages: Gandhiji wanted to reverse this by making village communities stronger and self-sufficient.
Social empowerment: Empowering villages through a benevolent Jajmani system was his idea of nurturing the roots of India that lived mostly in villages.
Note: Jajmani system or Yajman system was an economic system most notably found in villages of India in which lower castes performed various functions for upper castes and received grain or other goods in return.
(2) Opposition for automated production
Gandhiji’s ideas about the choice of technology have been much debated. He was not against industries.
He was proponent of the key idea for optimally using the local resources and skills.
(3) Trusteeship and community ownership
Industries would be necessary for progress, and they would have to make profit in order to survive.
But again, the profits belong to the society, that provided every possible resource to an industrialist, who is therefore a mere trustee of this wealth. It becomes his obligation to look after the needs of the society.
Using profit towards larger social good, which is the crux of Corporate Social Responsibility, can be traced back to Gandhiji’s idea of Trusteeship.
The current pandemic has paved the way for the possibility of a social experimentation based on Gandhian ideology, and there are several grounds to justify this position:
(a) Changing Consumption Pattern
The pattern of consumption has changed significantly especially since the lockdown.
Studies have noted a substantial reduction in ‘discretionary’ or conspicuous consumption (meaning luxuries goods consumption has declined).
Consumers are less blinded by the ‘brand value’ and are increasingly alert about distinguishing between essential and non-essential consumption due to financial viability.
Preferences are shifting to natural and herbal remedies.
However, there are studies of higher incidence of substance abuse, alcoholism, anxiety and depression, and on the other, innovative and creative ways are being devised to make home-stay more bearable.
(b) Changing Patterns of Production
As the world grapples with the problem of fragmentation of the supply chain, the necessity to restart in whatever manner possible, producers may be forced to relocate their sources of supply.
There is a trend towards the relocation of GVC (Global Value Chain) in favour of greater use of local skills and materials.
Compelled by the pressures of circumstance we might redevelop production systems of the kind that Gandhiji advocated strongly to promote self-sufficiency.
(c) Empathy towards the Deprived
The migrants reaching their home States in large exodus has been a heart-wrenching story.
The State did arrange Shramik trains to ensure safe return, but the role of individuals, NGOs and religious institutions that extended a helping hand so spontaneously cannot be overemphasized.
If the reverse migrant movement is akin to partition, so is the extent of support and help from various quarters of the society.
Gandhiji would have not only appreciated this spirit of empathy but would have perhaps succeeded in processing into institution building to sustain it longer.
When the existing patterns of socio-economic systems are shaken, they create a space for a paradigm shift. It is also an opportune time to correct the previous malfunctions of the system. For example:
i. Reducing Rural-Urban Imbalance:
Providing more jobs in the non-agriculture sector and more so in manufacturing is the need of the hour.
Promoting agro-based and related commercial activities such as fisheries and food processing can go a long way in providing more opportunities for gainful employment in the rural sector.
This would be a step in the Gandhian direction.
ii. Domestic Violence and the Gender Issue:
It is well-recorded that there is an increase in violent, abusive, impulsive, compulsive, and controlling behavior and aggression towards women during the period of economic hardships.
Studies suggest an astonishing rise in the harassment of women behind closed doors.
This has justified the term ‘parallel pandemic’ to domestic violence, underlining the dark gender impact of the pandemic, but they have also brought out the issue of gender disparity and the disenfranchisement of women in a manner that can no longer be overlooked.
(d) Treatment to the Reverse Migrants
States which have had pressure for accommodating reverse migrants now have an opportunity to deploy their expertise at home.
These States can use this experienced labour force to work on improving infrastructure, building industrial estates, setting up new MSMEs, etc. to attract more business.
As for migrants with experience of running tiny or home-based businesses, it is possible to bring them together into clusters to form co-operatives.
Co-operatives are important because they facilitate decentralization of the process of growth, which is Gandhian in spirit.
(e) Urban Development
Covid-19 has emphasized the need for cleanliness and hygiene like never before.
It has compelled the urban local bodies to improve and expand their health services.
Ignoring hygiene or treating it as welfare or a charitable act is not going to help because these are necessary for everyone’s survival now.
In a way, ensuring decent living conditions, which is implicit in the dignity of labour, is thrust upon us as a need for survival.
(f) Decent Wages and the Covid Allowance
States from where the migrant workers have moved out have had to raise wages due to a severe shortage of labour.
They do echo the need to treat workers with dignity through intervention in the Ahmedabad textile strike to negotiate in the issue of plague allowance.
(g) Environmental Concerns
Lockdown reportedly reduced air and water pollution substantially.
It would be up to us to maintain it with as much caution as possible.
Way forward
Gandhiji has been the conscience-keeper of our country.
This onslaught of circumstances calls for an alternative way of managing human affairs and revisiting Gandhi.
It is high time we follow his advice as he would have given us if he were alive.
Conclusion
Any attempt to engage in greater sustainability is Gandhian in spirit because it can be achieved only by rising above the baser instincts of greed, violence and petty self-importance.
In a truly Gandhian perspective, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be seen as an integrated vision stemming from a peaceful and harmonious coexistence of all.
The pandemic has opened up opportunities to tweak our ways of living on this planet in a wiser and more compassionate way.
The choices we make now can have long-term effects on our well-being.
Over 150 CivilsDaily Students are appearing in the UPSC interviews this year. YOU could definitely be next! And one very dominant factor in this turnaround is an impactful Civilsdaily Ecosystem. You would not just get a complete Prelims to Interview handholding but also a personal guide to help you finish each milestone.
Hence, I would like to invite you to a fascinating webinar where you would come to know how we, and our students, achieved this success and how we could use the very methods to help you succeed as well. In the upcoming webinar, we will present the best of what Civilsdaily IAS has to offer and introduce you to the CORE Philosophy of our highly successful Mentorship Program!
UPSC is the trickiest and uncertain exam in the world. It has a selection ratio of 0.1 per cent and to be selected for IAS, the selection ratio further falls to 0.01%. Now Suppose if we tell you that by Joining Civilsdaily’s Foundation program, this ratio increases to 80 per cent. How will you react?.
You might think that we are cracking a joke. But fortunately, this is possible, which we achieved with the Smash Mains Program last year. 80 per cent success rate. (Read testimonials below)
Unfortunately, this program was only open to Veterans. We believe that with the same mentorship style, we can replicate the same success with Aspirants who have just started preparation and are targeting the 2022 UPSC exam. Why waste 5 years when you can crack the exam on the very first attempt.
I need 50 dedicated students who can give their 100 per cent for next 1 year. Follow whatever I tell you and I assure you that your chances of cracking the exam on the very first attempt would significantly increase.
To know more about how your journey will be under my guidance for the next 1 year. Please register for the open Webinar on Sunday.
1.Fundamental mistakes committed by an aspirant which can cost you an attempt
2.Sharing my best practices helped me score the highest marks in GS in the 2017 exam.
3.Blueprint of how your journey will be under my guidance till 2022 Mains.
4.Best practices that can help you increase your score in Prelims and Mains exam
5.Open Q&A session with me
6.CD softcopies for Preparation
We will discuss the MOST EFFECTIVE WAY of cracking this exam. And we will talk about the highly successful methods that are TRIED, TESTED and ENDORSED!
This is a webinar that can truly transform your preparation. All you need to do is register and watch!
Sajal Singh is an MS Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, MS Financial Economics from Carleton University Canada. NET(JRF) in Economics qualified. He had obtained the highest marks in GS papers in UPSC Mains 2017 and appeared in several UPSC CS interviews. He also heads the Civilsdaily flagship Smash Mains initiative with an over 80% success ratio in the Mains exam.
Over 150 CivilsDaily Students are appearing in the UPSC interviews this year. YOU could definitely be next! And one very dominant factor in this turnaround is an impactful Civilsdaily Ecosystem. You would not just get a complete Prelims to Interview handholding but also a personal guide to help you finish each milestone.
Hence, I would like to invite you to a fascinating webinar where you would come to know how we, and our students, achieved this success and how we could use the very methods to help you succeed as well. In the upcoming webinar, we will present the best of what Civilsdaily IAS has to offer and introduce you to the CORE Philosophy of our highly successful Mentorship Program!
UPSC is the trickiest and uncertain exam in the world. It has a selection ratio of 0.1 per cent and to be selected for IAS, the selection ratio further falls to 0.01%. Now Suppose if we tell you that by Joining Civilsdaily’s Foundation program, this ratio increases to 80 per cent. How will you react?.
You might think that we are cracking a joke. But fortunately, this is possible, which we achieved with the Smash Mains Program last year. 80 per cent success rate. (Read testimonials below)
Unfortunately, this program was only open to Veterans. We believe that with the same mentorship style, we can replicate the same success with Aspirants who have just started preparation and are targeting the 2022 UPSC exam. Why waste 5 years when you can crack the exam on the very first attempt.
I need 50 dedicated students who can give their 100 per cent for next 1 year. Follow whatever I tell you and I assure you that your chances of cracking the exam on the very first attempt would significantly increase.
To know more about how your journey will be under my guidance for the next 1 year. Please register for the open Webinar on Sunday.
1.Fundamental mistakes committed by an aspirant which can cost you an attempt
2.Sharing my best practices helped me score the highest marks in GS in the 2017 exam.
3.Blueprint of how your journey will be under my guidance till 2022 Mains.
4.Best practices that can help you increase your score in Prelims and Mains exam
5.Open Q&A session with me
6.CD softcopies for Preparation
We will discuss the MOST EFFECTIVE WAY of cracking this exam. And we will talk about the highly successful methods that are TRIED, TESTED and ENDORSED!
This is a webinar that can truly transform your preparation. All you need to do is register and watch!
Sajal Singh is an MS Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, MS Financial Economics from Carleton University Canada. NET(JRF) in Economics qualified. He had obtained the highest marks in GS papers in UPSC Mains 2017 and appeared in several UPSC CS interviews. He also heads the Civilsdaily flagship Smash Mains initiative with an over 80% success ratio in the Mains exam.
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