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- The Tamil Nadu government has officially designated the Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
- About Kasampatty Sacred Grove:
- The Kasampatty Sacred Grove, also known as the Veera Kovil Sacred Grove, is a highly regarded ecological and cultural area situated in Kasampatty village in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu. Covering 4.97 hectares, the grove lies near the Alagarmalai Reserve Forest and is surrounded by vibrant mango plantations, which contribute to its natural charm and ecological richness.
- This sacred grove is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, including 48 plant species, 22 types of shrubs, 21 species of lianas (woody vines), and 29 herb species. It also provides shelter to more than 12 bird species, along with small mammals, reptiles, and a wide range of insects, reflecting its rich biodiversity.
- As part of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Tamil Nadu government has recognized the Kasampatty Sacred Grove as the state’s second official Biodiversity Heritage Site.
- Bangladesh has extended an invitation to China to invest in a river conservation project located near the strategically important ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor, the critical link between India’s mainland and its seven northeastern states.
- About the Chicken’s Neck Corridor:
- The ‘Chicken’s Neck’, also known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country. Located in the northern part of West Bengal, the corridor is about 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It is bordered by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south.
- This vital corridor links the North-eastern Region (NER), which includes the eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, to the Indian mainland.
- Significance of the Siliguri Corridor:
- The Siliguri Corridor holds immense strategic importance and is geopolitically sensitive. It plays a crucial role in the movement of military personnel, goods, and supplies. Any blockade or threat to this corridor could severely disrupt connectivity to India’s northeastern states.
- Additionally, the region is located near the India-China border, particularly the Chumbi Valley in Tibet, where China has developed substantial military infrastructure. In the event of a conflict, China could potentially cut off India’s access to its northeastern states by targeting this crucial corridor.
- The Lok Sabha recently approved the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, marking a significant step toward modernizing maritime law in India.
- About the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024:
- The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, will replace the outdated Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, a law rooted in the colonial era. This new legislation defines the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities for goods transported between ports within India or to international destinations.
- The Bill aligns with the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading (Hague Rules) of August 1924 and its subsequent amendments. It retains all relevant provisions from the previous Act.
- The Bill is designed to consolidate laws pertaining to port management, encourage integrated port development, and streamline the ease of doing business in the maritime industry. It aims to make optimal use of India’s extensive coastline by empowering State Maritime Boards for efficient management of non-major ports.
- Furthermore, the Bill proposes the creation of the Maritime State Development Council to facilitate structured growth in the port sector. It also addresses key issues such as pollution control, disaster management, emergency responses, security, safety, navigation, and data management at ports.
- The legislation ensures that India meets its international maritime obligations and agreements. It includes provisions for port conservation and establishes mechanisms for resolving port-related disputes more efficiently.
- Powers of the Central Government: The Bill grants the central government the authority to:
- Issue directives for the implementation of the Bill’s provisions.
- Amend the schedule that defines the rules applicable to bills of lading.