Category Social Sciences

In which State is the Tehri Dam – considered one of the highest in the country and built on Bhagirathi River – located?

The Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India and one of the highest in the world. It is a multi-purpose rock and earth-fill embankment dam on the Bhagirathi River near Tehri in Uttarakhand, India. Located in the foothills of the Central Himalayan Seismic gap, Tehri Dam is considered one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects. Though its construction has undergone different hurdles, the dam now stands proudly in the Tehri Garhwal region. The place offering a sight of the massive dam with stagnant water and high mountains on all side is easily reachable via well-maintained roads. An example of mindful engineering and architecture, the dam becomes a must visit for anyone seeking adventure in the laps of beauty.

A preliminary investigation for the Tehri Dam Project was completed in 1961 and its design was completed in 1972 with a 600 MW capacity power plant based on the study. Construction began in 1978 after feasibility studies but was delayed due to financial, environmental and social impacts.

In 1986, technical and financial assistance was provided by the USSR, but this was interrupted years later with political instability. India was forced to take control of the project and at the first, it was placed under the direction of the Irrigation Department of Uttar Pradesh. However, in 1988 the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation was formed to manage the dam and 75% of the funding would be provided by the federal government, 25% by the state. Uttar Pradesh would finance the entire irrigation portion of the project.

 

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Why do some states resist the new Motor Vehicle Act?

Several states have opposed the imposition of hefty fines for traffic violations, saying it will overburden people and that it would lead to higher levels of corruption. However, the Central government says it is only a model Act and that the State governments are free to make their own laws and rules.

What are the rules that apply to juvenile drivers under the Act?

In case of accidents involving juvenile drivers, the guardian of the juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle will be deemed quality. The guardian or owner is punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years and with a fine of ?25000. But the guardian or owner will not be liable if the juvenile has a learner’s license.

What are the states that have revised the fines?

While some States such as Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Gujarat have reduced the fines for various offences. States such as Telengana, Punjab, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have decided not to implement the Motor vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019.

Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Odisha have put the implementation on hold for now. Kerala had initially implemented the new Act, but withdrew it following protests by the people and trade unions. Tamil Nadu has announced that it will reduce the fines.

 

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What is the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act in India?

The new traffic rules under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, came into force in many states on September 1. Under the Act, heavy fines are imposed for offences such as over-speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without states are not happy with the hefty fines and have opted to reduce the quantum of fines as suggested. What is the scope of the penalties imposed under it? 

The Motor Vehicles Act is an Act of Parliament which regulates all aspects of road transport vehicles. The Motor vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which sought to make changes to the 1988 Act, was passed in the Rajya Sabha in July and in the Lok Sabha in Aught. The new traffic rules with sticker penalties, under the 2019 Act, came into effect on September 1.

How have the penalties been increased under the recently amended Act?

  • The penalties for breaking traffic rules have gone up multi-fold. For driving without a license, the new fine is ?5000, which is 10 times the earlier fine of ?500.
  • The maximum penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol has been increased from ?2000 to ?10000.
  • For speeding or racing, the fine has been increased from ?500 to ? 5000.
  • Not wearing a seatbelt while driving would attract a fine of ? 1000 as against the earlier fine of ?100.
  • If a vehicle manufacturer fails to comply with motor vehicle standards, the penalty will be a fine of up to ?1 Lakh.
  • The Central government may increase the fines by 10% every year.

Why are the other provisions as per the new Act?

  • The new Act has extended the period for renewal of driving licenses from one moth to one year after the date of expiry.
  • The Act also promises to protect those who render emergency medical or non-medical assistance to a victim of an accident, from any civil or criminal liability.
  • The minimum compensation for death or grievous injury in hit-and-run cases has been increased from ?25000 to ?2 Lakh in case of death, and from ?12500 to ?50000 in case of grievous injury.
  • The central government will develop a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during the ‘golden hour’ – the time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.
  • The Act requires the Central government to constitute a Motor Vehicle Accident fund, to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in the country.

 

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Which tiger reserve of Kerala is often regarded as the lifeline of the State?

Snuggled in the southern region of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Tiger Reserve sprawls over an area of 777 sq. km of forest land and is home to thousands of different species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered ones. Thick, evergreen forests form about 360 sq. km of the total area of the valley.

The valley derives its name from one important river – River Periyar – that originates in the reserve’s remote forests. The river, which is 244 km long, is the longest in the State. One of the few perennial rivers in the region, it meets the drinking water requirements of a number of towns in Kerala. Moreover, the Idukki dam on the river generates a big share of the State’s electrical output. On account of these reasons, the river has been rightly named the ‘Lifeline of Kerala’.

There are alternate claims for a Tamil Nadu origin, indicating that the Periyar originates in the Sivagiri peaks of Sundaramala, Tamil Nadu. However, the Supreme Court of India in its judgement on the Mullaperiyar issue in 2014, made it clear that Tamil Nadu is not a riparian state of the river Periyar but the river itself is an inter-State river.

 

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In 2019, which tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu received the best managed tiger reserve award from the Central government?

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), which is created in 2013, is adjudged as the best performer in the country for its ability to increase more tigers between 2014-18 compared to any other tiger reserve in the country.

The award, instituted by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), was received by STR Field Director V Naganathan from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday during the release of 4th cycle of All India Tiger Estimation results, which coincides with the Global Tiger Day.

“Forest dwellers dependence on fuelwood and cattle grazing has been reduced by providing LPG connections to all 28 villages, including 9 in the core area and 19 in the buffer. Awareness was created to use agricultural waste as fodder. Besides, tribal youth were recruited in anti-poaching squads which ensured there is no illegal hunting happening from their hamlets,” Naganathan said.

This apart, controlling vehicular movement within tiger reserve and minimizing the human footprint in name of pilgrimage were the biggest takeaway points.

 

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Namdapha is the tiger reserve in which state?

Namdapha, a National Park and Tiger Reserve, a true wilderness and enchanting beauty of lush green vegetation, impenetrable pristine and virgin forests covered an area of 1985.23 square kilometres having diverse flora and fauna lies in the international border between India and Myanmar (Burma) within Changlang District in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast India.

The beautiful forests possess great biodiversity of Flora and Fauna. A details study of its species and genetic variation has not yet been thoroughly done. Namdapha is Botanist’s dream and it may take as long as 50 years to complete a comprehensive survey of its botanical resources. There are more than 150 timber species. The Pinus merkusi and Abies delavavi are not found elsewhere in India. One of the rarest and endangered orchids, the Blue Vanda found here. The most famous local medicinal plant Mishimi Teeta (Copti teeta), which is used by the local tribal for all kinds of diseases is available here but its export has been banned.

The inaccessibility of greater part of the park has helped to keep the forests in their pristine and virgin state in its natural form. Moreover, the park possesses great bio diversity of flora and fauna. The lush green under growths are thick and intertwined like cobwebs of canes, bamboos, wild bananas and variety of vegetation The grandeur of the wet tropical rain forest is breeding ground for varieties of animals and birds which is remarkable and worth seeing.

 

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