18 April 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF

Understanding Supreme Court’s recognition of climate rights and just transition framework is crucial for environmental jurisprudence and climate governance.

● It is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

● Historically widespread across the Indian subcontinent, its population has drastically declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and collisions with power lines.

●  The bustard prefers arid and semi-arid grasslands, dry savannahs, and open country with short grass or shrubs.

● Conservation efforts are focused in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, where most of the remaining population is found.

●It faces numerous threats, including habitat fragmentation due to agriculture and infrastructure development.

●     The species is known for its elaborate courtship displays during breeding season, which involve puffing up their chest, strutting, and emitting low booming calls.

● Conservation initiatives include habitat restoration, captive breeding programs, and measures to reduce mortality from power lines and human disturbance.

● The survival of the Great Indian Bustard is crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity in its native grassland habitats.

● Human Rights Perspective: This decision highlights the intersection of environmental rights and human rights, emphasising the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental aspect of the right to life and livelihood.

● Policy Implications: The ruling has far-reaching implications for environmental policy and governance, signaling the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and climate action strategies to address climate change impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

● Judicial Activism: The Supreme Court’s proactive stance on climate change reflects judicial activism in advancing environmental justice and holding governments and corporations accountable for their actions or inaction in addressing climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.

●  Global Recognition: The decision contributes to global recognition of the importance of legal mechanisms and judicial interventions in promoting climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation efforts, setting a positive example for other jurisdictions grappling with similar challenges.

●  Empowerment of Citizens: By recognizing the fundamental right to be free from the adverse impacts of climate change, the Supreme Court empowers citizens to demand accountability, transparency, and action from authorities and institutions responsible for environmental protection and climate governance.

Q. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?

1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: Option C

(UPSC civil services prelims 2020)

Understanding challenges in implementing healthcare infrastructure projects is vital for UPSC to address public health governance and policy.

●   The doctor-population ratio in India stands at approximately 1:834, according to official data.

●   This ratio is worse in rural areas, where access to healthcare services is limited.

●   The shortage of doctors exacerbates healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved regions.

Impact:

●Healthcare Disparities: Doctor-population ratio imbalances contribute to disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, where there is a shortage of medical professionals.

●  Quality of Care: Inadequate healthcare workforce leads to overcrowded healthcare facilities, longer waiting times, and compromised quality of care, affecting patient outcomes and satisfaction.

●   Disease Burden: Insufficient healthcare providers hinder effective disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rates for preventable and treatable conditions.

●  Maternal and Child Health: Doctor shortages impact maternal and child health services, leading to higher maternal mortality rates, infant mortality rates, and poor birth outcomes in regions with limited access to obstetric and paediatric care.

● Public Health Emergencies: During public health emergencies such as pandemics or natural disasters, inadequate healthcare workforce exacerbates response challenges, overwhelms healthcare systems, and undermines crisis management efforts.

Way Forward:

● Medical Education Expansion: Increase capacity and infrastructure for medical education, including the establishment of new medical colleges, upgrading existing institutions, and expanding residency programs to produce more healthcare professionals.

● Rural Posting Incentives: Offer financial incentives, scholarships, loan waivers, and career development opportunities to encourage doctors to work in rural and remote areas, addressing disparities in healthcare access.

●  Telemedicine and Telehealth: Expand telemedicine and telehealth services to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, improve access to specialist care, and provide medical consultation to underserved communities.

●  Task Shifting: Train and empower non-physician healthcare providers such as nurses, midwives, and community health workers to perform certain tasks and procedures, easing the burden on doctors and increasing healthcare efficiency.

●  Public-Private Partnerships: Foster partnerships between government, private sector, and non-profit organisations to enhance healthcare infrastructure, deploy medical professionals, and deliver healthcare services to underserved populations.

●  Regulatory Reforms: Streamline licensing procedures, accreditation standards, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the recruitment, deployment, and retention of healthcare professionals, ensuring quality care and patient safety.