Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, yet they are facing rapid degradation. Discuss their ecological and socio-economic significance and examine the measures taken in India for wetland conservation.
- Q. The use of Ordinance-making power to alter the strength of constitutional institutions raises questions of constitutional propriety. Discuss with reference to judicial independence.
Q. Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, yet they are facing rapid degradation. Discuss their ecological and socio-economic significance and examine the measures taken in India for wetland conservation.
(GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation)
Introduction:
Wetlands are transitional ecosystems between land and water. The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with fresh, brackish or saline water. India became a party to the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and recently reached the milestone of 100 Ramsar Sites with the inclusion of Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary / Surha Tal in Uttar Pradesh.
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Ecological Significance of Wetlands
- Biodiversity support: Wetlands provide habitat and breeding grounds for nearly 40% of all plant and animal species, although they cover only about 6% of the Earth’s land surface.
- Flood control: They act as natural sponges by absorbing excess rainfall and reducing flood risks.
- Water purification: Wetlands are called the “kidneys of the landscape” because they filter pollutants and maintain water quality.
- Carbon storage: They store carbon in soil and biomass, helping in climate change mitigation.
- Coastal protection: Wetlands protect coastal populations from storm surges, cyclones and tsunamis.
- Migratory bird conservation: Wetlands support shared wetland systems and migratory species across countries.
Socio-economic Significance
- Wetlands support fisheries, agriculture, fodder and eco-tourism.
- They contribute to food security through rice, fish and other wetland-based resources.
- They provide livelihood opportunities for local communities.
- They support groundwater recharge and water security.
Major Threats
Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems. The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 states that at least 400 million hectares of wetlands have been lost since 1970. Major threats include land conversion, urbanisation, infrastructure development, pollution, unsustainable agriculture, aquaculture, industrialisation and climate change.
Measures Taken in India
- Wetlands of India Portal launched in 2021 for data and capacity-building.
- National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas prepared by Space Applications Centre.
- Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management established in 2021.
- Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme launched in 2020 to rejuvenate over 500 wetlands.
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems created in 2013.
- Amrit Dharohar Scheme launched in 2023–24 to promote biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism and local incomes.
- Integration of wetland conservation with Namami Gange and the National Wildlife Action Plan 2017–2031.
Conclusion:
Wetlands are not wastelands. They are essential ecosystems for biodiversity, climate resilience, water security and livelihoods. India’s achievement of 100 Ramsar Sites is important, but long-term success depends on scientific management, pollution control, community participation and wise use of wetlands.
Q. The use of Ordinance-making power to alter the strength of constitutional institutions raises questions of constitutional propriety. Discuss with reference to judicial independence.
(GS Paper II – Indian Polity, Constitution, Judiciary, Separation of Powers)
Introduction:
Article 123 of the Constitution empowers the President to promulgate an Ordinance when Parliament is not in session. Recently, the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court was increased from 34 to 38 judges through a Presidential Ordinance. Though increasing judicial strength may help reduce pendency, using an Ordinance to alter the strength of a constitutional institution raises concerns of constitutional propriety, judicial independence and security of tenure.
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Need for Increasing Judicial Strength
The Supreme Court faces rising pendency and increasing constitutional, civil, criminal and appellate workload. More judges can help in:
- Faster disposal of cases.
- Better access to justice.
- Reduction of judicial backlog.
- Improved functioning of constitutional benches.
- Strengthening the right to speedy justice under Article 21.
Therefore, the issue is not the need for more judges. The issue is the method adopted to create additional posts.
Ordinance Power and Constitutional Limits
An Ordinance has the same force as a law, but it is temporary. It must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly.
In D.C. Wadhwa v. State of Bihar (1986), the Supreme Court held that Ordinance-making cannot become a parallel source of law-making. In Krishna Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar (2017), the Court ruled that repeated re-promulgation of Ordinances is unconstitutional.
Thus, Ordinance power is meant for urgent situations, not for bypassing normal legislative debate.
Concerns for Judicial Independence
Judicial independence is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. It includes both actual independence and the appearance of independence.
The Ordinance raises concerns because:
- Judges may be appointed to posts created by a temporary executive instrument.
- If Parliament does not approve the Ordinance, the Court’s sanctioned strength may revert to 34.
- This can create uncertainty about posts created through the Ordinance.
- It may give an impression that judicial strength depends on executive goodwill.
- It may affect public confidence in the institutional autonomy of the judiciary.
Security of tenure is essential for judicial independence. A judge should not appear to depend on future executive or legislative action for the continuation of the post.
Separation of Powers Concern
The judiciary, executive and legislature must work within their constitutional limits. Increasing the strength of the Supreme Court affects the structure of a constitutional institution. Such matters should ideally be decided through full parliamentary scrutiny.
In the NJAC case (2015), the Supreme Court held that judicial primacy in appointments is part of judicial independence. This shows the importance of keeping judicial institutions free from executive dominance.
Way Forward
- Strength of constitutional courts should be altered through regular legislation, not Ordinances.
- Ordinance power must be used only in genuine urgency.
- Parliament should debate such institutional changes transparently.
- Judicial manpower planning should be done in advance.
- The Collegium must consider not only legality but also constitutional propriety and public perception.
- Safeguards are needed when executive law-making affects constitutional institutions.
Conclusion:
Increasing the strength of the Supreme Court is necessary for faster justice delivery. However, constitutional goals must be achieved through constitutional methods. Ordinance-created judicial posts may raise doubts about security of tenure, separation of powers and institutional independence. A strong judiciary requires not only adequate judges but also a process that protects its dignity, autonomy and public trust.
