Current Affairs 13-OCT-2023 (The Hindu)

National Security Guard(NSG)

(C,B-D,H-T => Pg-9,15,11)

NSG

• Counter-terrorism and special operations force.
• 1986 - formed under ‘NSG Act’, 1986.
• Formed aftermath of the Operation Blue star.

Operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Director-General(DG) of NSG - head.

2 groups under NSG

1. Special Action Group (SAG)
   • Consists of personnel from the Indian Army.
   • Strike wing.
2. Special Ranger Groups (SRG)
   • Personnel from the central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Police organizations.
   • Supports SAG.
   • Provides security during VIP visits, handling bomb threats & training.

Functions

• Counter-terrorist tasks
• Counter-hijacking tasks on land, sea, and air
• Rescue operations during terror attacks
• Support to the Central Para Military forces to counter insurgency.
• Other activities - Bomb disposal, Post Blast Investigation & Hostage Rescue missions.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Which one of the following statements is true about National Security Guard (NSG)?

• (a) NSG was formed in response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• (b) The NSG primarily consists of personnel from paramilitary forces.
• (c) NSG is governed and controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• (d) Special Action Group (SAG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) are the two main groups within the NSG.

Nilgiri Tahr

(C =>Back Pg- 2)

Nilgiri Tahr

• A species of mountain goat
• Endemic to Western Ghats.
• Feature - Distinctive curved horns.
• State animal of Tamil Nadu.

Habitat

• WWF estimation - 3,122 in wild.
• Open montane grassland.
• Found at the elevation of 1200 to 2600 meters in Western Ghats.

Distribution

• Present in small fragmented pockets of Western Ghats.
• Nilgiris in north to Kanyakumari hills in south along the Western Ghats.
• Largest population - Eravikulam National Park in Anaimalai hills of Kerala.

Threats

• Habitat loss due to deforestation.
• Competition with domestic livestock.
• Hydroelectric projects, monoculture plantations.
• Hunting - for meat and skin.
• Invasion of exotic species, forest fires.
• Over-exploitation of forest resources.

Conservation status

• IUCN Red List - Threatened Species.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule I.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about Nilgiri Tahr:

1. 1. The Nilgiri Tahr is found in both Eastern and Western Ghats of India.
2. 2. They are categorized as vulnerable under the IUCN Red list.
3. 3. It is the state animal of Kerala.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
• (d) None

National Green Tribunal

(C =>Back Pg- 1)

National Green Tribunal

• Statutory body - established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• Specialized body - deals with environmental disputes.
• Jurisdiction - Environmental protection, conservation of forest & natural resources. Not bound to act as per the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
• Guided by the principles of natural justice.
• Principal bench - New Delhi.
• Benches - Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata & Chennai.

Composition of NGT

• A Chairperson + Judicial & Expert Members.
• Chairperson - appointed by the GoI in consultation with CJI.
• Judicial & Expert Members - appointed by the GoI based on Selection Committee’s recommendation.
• Member's strength - Minimum 10 & Maximum 20.
• Tenure - 5 years. Not eligible for reappointment.

Functions of the body

• Jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial questions relating to the environment.
• Deals with cases related to the protection and conservation of the environment & forests.
• Disposal of cases - within 6 months.
• Orders for relief & compensation to the persons or damaged property.
• Handling of environmental disputes that involve multi-disciplinary issues.
• NGT deals with civil cases under 7 laws related to the environment:
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
  • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• Order of NGT - equivalent to a civil court’s order.
• NGT Act 2010 - punishment & penalty for non-compliance:
  • Imprisonment - up to 3 years.
  • Fine - up to 10 crore rupees.
• Appeal against the order of the NGT goes to the Supreme Court. Condition - appeal should be filed within 90 days of the NGT’s order.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about the National Green Tribunal (NGT):

1. 1. It is a constitutional body established under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. 2. It deals with cases related to any violations under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
3. 3. The NGT is not bound by the procedure under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
• (d) None