Top News Highlights- 5 December 2024

Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary Declared as Madhya Pradesh’s 8th Tiger Reserve

• Located in Raisen and Sehore districts, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary includes the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Covers dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests with 55% teak coverage and houses tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and deer species.
• Declared under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, highlighting India’s commitment to tiger conservation.
• Madhya Pradesh now leads India with 8 tiger reserves.

Supreme Court on POSH Act Implementation

• States directed to appoint District Officers for enforcing the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
• Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) are mandatory in all organizations as per Section 4 of the Act.
• SHeBox, a national platform, facilitates digital complaint registration to improve transparency and accessibility.
• Focuses on ensuring a safer workplace for women across public and private sectors.

Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations Stalled

• Held in Busan, South Korea, the treaty aims to address the full lifecycle of plastics.
• Key issues: Lack of consensus on production caps, unclear definitions of microplastics, and opposition from India and China.
• India advocates for financial and technical assistance to developing nations and opposes strict production caps affecting developmental rights.
• Global plastic waste leakage into ecosystems ranges between 19-23 million metric tonnes annually.

FSSAI Advisory for E-commerce Food Business Operators

• Mandates compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations, including a 30% minimum shelf life for delivered products.
• E-commerce platforms must display FSSAI licenses, and train delivery personnel on food safety standards.
• Aims to bolster consumer trust, mitigate foodborne risks, and enhance quality assurance in online food markets.

Oilfields Amendment Bill 2024 Passed in Rajya Sabha

• Expands “mineral oils” to include hydrocarbons like coal bed methane and shale oil.
• Introduces “petroleum leases” and simplifies penalties for regulatory violations.
• Aims to reduce energy import dependence and attract investments in India’s oil and gas sectors.
• Enhances dispute resolution through the Petroleum and Natural Gas Board Regulatory Act, 2006.

RBI House Price Index Q2 2024-25

• National index rose by 4.3% year-on-year; Bengaluru recorded the highest growth at 8.8%, Kanpur saw a -2% decline.
• Data is sourced from property transactions in 10 major cities, offering insights into India’s real estate trends.
• Indicates economic recovery and urban housing demand fluctuations.

Key Concepts and Policies

• Project Tiger: Centrally Sponsored Scheme for tiger conservation in India.
• POSH Act (2013): Legal framework to prevent and address sexual harassment at workplaces.
• SHeBox: A national platform for registering workplace harassment complaints.
• Geographical Indication (GI): Legal protection for products with unique geographic origins and qualities.