Top News Highlights- 18 July 2024

CITES Launches “CITES Rosewoods: The Global Picture” Report

Report Highlights:

• Details on CITES-listed rosewood species’ characteristics, ecosystem roles, regeneration rates, and threats.
• Facilitates informed non-detriment findings (NDFs) to ensure sustainable trade.
• Rosewoods like Dalbergia latifolia and Dalbergia sissoo are significant for ecosystem services like soil improvement and nitrogen fixation.

Supreme Court Asserts Powers of Central Information Commission (CIC)

Key Points

• CIC has the authority to constitute benches and frame regulations under the RTI Act, 2005.
• CIC ensures greater access to information, comprising a chief and up to 10 Information Commissioners appointed by the President.

Gram Nyayalayas: Status and Key Issues

Features:

• Mobile courts are providing access to justice at the village level, established under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008.
• Poor implementation with only 481 out of the required 6,000 functional Gram Nyayalayas.
• State governments are not mandated to establish them, leading to resistance in tribal or scheduled areas.

Keywords and Concepts

• CITES: Conservation efforts through international trade regulations.
• Central Information Commission (CIC): Ensuring transparency through RTI.
• Gram Nyayalayas: Access to justice in rural areas.