What’s in Today’s Article?

• Tiger Reserve Latest News
• Rationale Behind Setting Up Tiger Reserves
• Key Aspects of Establishing a Tiger Reserve
• Significance of Madhav National Park
• Tiger Reserve FAQ’s

Tiger Reserve Latest News

• Recently, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been designated as India’s 58th tiger reserve. 
• With this, Madhya Pradesh now has nine tiger reserves, the highest among all states. In comparison, Maharashtra has six, while Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have five each.

Rationale Behind Setting Up Tiger Reserves

• Decline in Tiger Population
  • Tigers were once abundant in India, with an estimated 40,000 tigers in the early 20th century. However, due to hunting, poaching, deforestation, and colonial timber exploitation, their numbers declined sharply. 
  • By the 1960s, the population dropped to between 2,000 and 4,000, further worsened by gun licenses, increased forest access, and the fur trade.
• Conservation Efforts Begin
  • Recognizing the crisis, naturalists raised alarms, leading to the Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL) recommending a ban on wild cat skin exports in 1969. 
  • The same year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the tiger as an endangered species in its Red Data Book and called for a ban on tiger killings.
• Launch of Project Tiger (1973)
  • With tiger numbers plummeting to 1,863, the then PM Indira Gandhi set up an 11-member Task Force to devise a conservation strategy. 
  • In August 1972, the Task Force proposed bringing key tiger habitats under Project Tiger, which was officially launched on April 1, 1973, at Corbett Tiger Reserve.
• First Nine Tiger Reserves
  • Initially, nine tiger reserves were established across different ecosystems:
    • Corbett (Uttarakhand); Palamau (Jharkhand); Simlipal (Odisha)
    • Sundarbans (West Bengal); Manas (Assam); Ranthambore (Rajasthan)
    • Kanha (Madhya Pradesh); Melghat (Maharashtra); Bandipur (Karnataka)
  • These reserves formed the foundation of India’s tiger conservation movement, ensuring habitat protection and population recovery.

Key Aspects of Establishing a Tiger Reserve

• Scientific Management Framework
  • Project Tiger, later replaced by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2006, introduced a structured approach to managing protected areas. 
  • Every tiger reserve must follow a site-specific management plan, ensuring scientific conservation practices.
• Core and Buffer Zones
  • Tiger reserves are divided into:
    • Core Zone – Strictly protected habitat for tigers and wildlife.
    • Buffer Zone – Surrounding area with regulated human activities to support conservation efforts.
• Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs)
  • The NTCA guidelines ensure:
    • Protection and habitat management for a viable population of tigers, prey, and co-predators.
    • Ecologically compatible land use to connect tiger reserves and other protected areas.
    • Corridor creation to maintain genetic diversity by linking source populations (where tiger numbers grow) to sink habitats (where numbers decline).
• Process of Declaring a Tiger Reserve
  • State Government submits a proposal to the Centre.
  • NTCA evaluates and recommends the proposal.
  • State Government officially notifies the area as a tiger reserve.
  • This structured process ensures the long-term conservation and sustainability of tiger populations in India.
• Funding Mechanism for Tiger Reserves
  • Centre-State Cost Sharing
    • General States: 60% of the funding is provided by the Central Government, while the remaining 40% is borne by the State Government.
    • Northeastern & Himalayan States: The Centre covers 90% of the cost, with States contributing 10%.

Significance of Madhav National Park

• Notified as a National Park in 1956 under the MP National Parks Act, 1955 with an initial area of 165.32 sq km.
• Now expanded to 355 sq km core area with a buffer zone of 4-6 sq km.
• Until 2023, there were no tigers; a male and two females were relocated, leading to a population increase to seven.

Ecological & Strategic Importance

• Functions as a key wildlife corridor linking the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) and Kuno National Park.
• Kuno hosts a captive cheetah population, raising concerns about predator competition for prey (deer population).
• Madhya Pradesh leads India in tiger conservation with 785 tigers, yet the Kuno-Madhav division has historically been neglected.
• Consolidated wildlife management is now focusing on both tigers and cheetahs in the region.

Future Conservation Plans & Challenges

• Proposal to relocate Asiatic lions from Gir (Gujarat) to Kuno, approved by the Supreme Court.
• The government, in March 2023, raised concerns about lion-cheetah competition, delaying the relocation.
• If lions are introduced, it could bring more national and international conservation funding.

Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1. Why was Madhav National Park declared a tiger reserve?

Ans. To strengthen conservation, protect habitats, and establish vital wildlife corridors in Madhya Pradesh.

Q2. What is the significance of Madhav National Park?

Ans. It links Ranthambore and Kuno reserves, ensuring biodiversity and predator-prey balance.

Q3. How are tiger reserves funded in India?

Ans. The Centre funds 60%, states cover 40%; for Himalayan/Northeastern states, the Centre provides 90%.

Q4. What is the role of Project Tiger in conservation?

Ans. Launched in 1973, it protects tigers, ensures habitat conservation, and monitors populations.

Q5. What are the future plans for Kuno and Madhav reserves?

Ans. Plans include introducing Asiatic lions, managing cheetahs, and securing additional conservation funding.

Source: TH | IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• International Criminal Court Latest News
• Background
• Understanding the ICC’s Jurisdiction
• The Philippines’ Response and Domestic Politics
• Challenges in Enforcing ICC Warrants
• Implications for the ICC and International Justice
• Way Ahead
• International Criminal Court and Duterte’s Case FAQs

International Criminal Court Latest News 

• Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was flown to the Netherlands on March 12 to face charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Background

• Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been flown to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). 
• His indictment marks a significant moment for the ICC, which has often struggled to enforce its warrants. 
• The court accuses Duterte of being "individually responsible" for mass killings carried out during his aggressive "war on drugs" between 2011 and 2019, a campaign that led to the deaths of approximately 30,000 people.
• The case is particularly notable because Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s jurisdiction in 2019. 
• However, ICC prosecutors argue that crimes committed before the withdrawal still fall under the court’s authority. 
• This move has sparked debates on the ICC’s power and reach in prosecuting global leaders.

Understanding the ICC’s Jurisdiction

• The ICC was established under the Rome Statute of 1998 and serves as a permanent court to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. 
• It has 125 signatory states, all of which are obligated to cooperate with its mandates, including arresting and extraditing individuals facing warrants. 
• However, compliance is inconsistent, as seen in the case of Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, whose ICC arrest warrants remain unenforced.
• While the ICC does not have its own enforcement body, it relies on national governments and Interpol to execute arrest warrants. 
• If a state refuses to comply, the ICC can refer the case to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which can impose further obligations on UN member states.

The Philippines’ Response and Domestic Politics

• Duterte and his political allies have challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 means the court no longer has authority over the country. 
• However, the ICC ruled otherwise, asserting that its mandate covers crimes committed before withdrawal.
• Initially, the administration of current Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. resisted ICC intervention, citing national sovereignty. 
• However, Marcos later allowed cooperation with the ICC, leading to Duterte’s extradition. 
• This shift indicates a political fracture between Duterte and Marcos, who were previously allies.

Challenges in Enforcing ICC Warrants

• Lack of Enforcement Power: The ICC relies on member states to execute its arrest warrants, making compliance voluntary.
• Political Resistance: Countries often refuse to cooperate if they view ICC actions as politically motivated.
• Geopolitical Interference: Major powers like the United States, Russia, and China have criticized the ICC’s actions, fearing it could be used for political leverage.
• Complementarity Principle: The ICC can only intervene if national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute crimes. The Philippines initially claimed its judicial system was handling the issue, but the ICC found insufficient evidence of domestic prosecution efforts.

Implications for the ICC and International Justice

• Duterte’s arrest is considered a rare success for the ICC, which has struggled with enforcing its mandates against powerful leaders. 
• However, it also exposes the court’s vulnerabilities, such as reliance on national governments and political influences.
• The ICC has faced criticism for alleged Western bias, as many of its cases have targeted leaders from developing countries. 
• Additionally, its actions sometimes intersect with global geopolitics, leading to accusations that the court is being used as a political tool. 
  • For example, China, which has territorial disputes with the Philippines, has condemned the ICC’s handling of the case.
• Despite these challenges, the case against Duterte sets a precedent—showing that leaders accused of severe human rights violations can still be held accountable, even if they attempt to shield themselves by withdrawing from the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Way Ahead

• Duterte now faces a pre-trial hearing, where the ICC will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. During this phase:
  • The Prosecutor’s Office will present its case.
  • Duterte’s defense team may argue for dismissal or interim release.
  • If the court decides to proceed, a full trial will be scheduled, though it may take years before a final verdict is reached.
• Regardless of the outcome, Duterte’s indictment represents a major step in international justice, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of the ICC.

International Criminal Court and Duterte’s Case FAQs

Q1. Does the ICC have jurisdiction over the Philippines after its withdrawal?

Ans. Yes, the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the country’s withdrawal in 2019.

Q2. How does the ICC enforce its arrest warrants?

Ans. The ICC relies on member states and Interpol to execute warrants, but enforcement is inconsistent.

Q3. Why is Duterte being prosecuted by the ICC?

Ans. He is accused of crimes against humanity for his "war on drugs," which led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

Q4. What happens if a country refuses to comply with the ICC?

Ans. Non-compliance can lead to a referral to the UN Security Council, which may impose further obligations.

Q5. What are the major challenges the ICC faces in prosecuting global leaders?

Ans. The ICC struggles with enforcement power, political resistance, geopolitical interference, and claims of bias in its case selection.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Creators’ Economy Latest News
• About Creators’ Economy
• India’s $1 Billion Investment in the Creators’ Economy
• Creators’ Economy FAQ’s

Creators’ Economy Latest News

• The Central government will invest $1 billion to support India’s creators’ economy. The funds will help creators enhance their skills, upgrade production, and expand into global markets, as announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

About Creators’ Economy

• The creators’ economy refers to a digital-driven ecosystem where individuals—such as content creators, influencers, bloggers, and independent artists—monetize their skills and creativity through social media platforms, digital content, and online businesses. 
  • Creative Economy is also referred to as Orange Economy.
• This sector includes video creators, podcasters, gamers, educators, and independent writers who generate revenue through brand collaborations, subscriptions, advertisements, and merchandise sales.

Factors Behind India’s Strategic Push Towards the Creators’ Economy

• Growing Digital User Base
  • India has over 800 million internet users, making it one of the largest digital markets in the world. 
  • The widespread use of smartphones and affordable data has fueled content consumption. 
• Employment & Economic Growth
  • The sector has the potential to generate self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, reducing reliance on traditional job markets. 
• Soft Power & Global Influence
  • Indian content creators are gaining international recognition, helping project India’s cultural and linguistic diversity to a global audience. 
• Tech-Driven Economy
  • With advancements in AI, AR/VR, and blockchain, new monetization models such as NFTs and decentralized platforms are emerging, making the sector more lucrative. 
• Diversity of Regional Content
  • The rise of vernacular content is expanding India’s digital economy beyond English and Hindi, tapping into a vast regional audience.

Challenges Faced 

• Indian creators face numerous challenges, including inconsistent monetization opportunities, stringent platform algorithms, and limited brand collaborations. 
• Intellectual property protection remains a concern, with content piracy and lack of legal awareness affecting earnings.

Steps Taken by the Indian Government

• $1 Billion Investment – Announced by the government to support skill enhancement, production quality, and global expansion of Indian creators.
• Digital India & Start-up Ecosystem – Policies such as Digital India, Make in India, and Startup India are fostering an environment conducive to digital entrepreneurship.
• PLI Schemes for Electronics – Encouraging local manufacturing of devices such as smartphones, cameras, and laptops that aid content creation.
• Regulatory Support & Infrastructure – Initiatives like 5G rollout and improved broadband penetration to enhance content creation and streaming quality.
• Support for Vernacular & Regional Creators – Promotion of Indian languages on digital platforms to ensure inclusivity and wider audience reach.
• AI & Digital Skill Development – Focus on AI-based content moderation and creator upskilling to ensure ethical and high-quality content.

India’s $1 Billion Investment in the Creators’ Economy

• The Central government has announced a $1 billion investment to support India’s creators’ economy. 
• The funds will help creators enhance their skills, upgrade production, and expand into global markets, as stated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

High-Level Engagement Ahead of WAVES 2025

• Ahead of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, a high-level session was hosted by the government to engage the international community.
  • WAVES 2025 will facilitate joint ventures, co-productions, and business expansion in the media and entertainment sector.
• Participants highlighted how the intersection of creativity, media, and technology is reshaping the industry and emphasized WAVES 2025 as a key platform for innovation and collaboration.

The Role of WAVES 2025 in the Orange Economy

• The government highlighted WAVES 2025’s role in leveraging the media and entertainment industries for economic growth and job creation. 
• The summit will serve as a bridge for cultural diplomacy, fostering unity and global harmony through creative industries.

Creators’ Economy FAQs

Q1. What is the creators’ economy?

Ans. It’s a digital-driven ecosystem where creators monetize content via social media, ads, brand deals, and merchandise.

Q2. Why is India investing in the creators’ economy?

Ans. To boost digital entrepreneurship, create jobs, and expand India’s soft power globally through media and content.

Q3. What are the challenges in the creators’ economy?

Ans. Inconsistent earnings, algorithm changes, IP protection, and limited brand collaborations hinder content creators' growth.

Q4. How does the $1 billion fund benefit Indian creators?

Ans. It supports skill development, better production quality, global market expansion, and digital infrastructure enhancement.

Q5. What role does WAVES 2025 play in the industry?

Ans. WAVES 2025 fosters global collaborations, joint ventures, and business expansion in media and entertainment.

Source: TH | IE | TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) Latest News
• Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) 
• Opposition Concerns and Allegations
• Conclusion
• Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC)FAQ’s

Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) Latest News

• The Election Commission of India (EC) is set to meet with officials from the Union Home Ministry, Law Ministry, and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to discuss linking Aadhaar numbers with Voter ID cards. 
• This comes in light of electoral roll irregularities flagged by the Opposition.

Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) 

• About: Provided to all registered voters as an identification document, however, it does not confer voting rights unless the voter's name is listed in the electoral roll.
• Issuance of EPIC: Introduced in 1993 and are distributed by state governments, the issuance of EPIC is governed by the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• EPIC number:
  • Each EPIC number is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code composed of: 3 alphabetic characters, anda 7-digit numeric sequence.
  • It serves as a unique identifier linking a voter to their photo, constituency, and polling station.
  • It is designed to prevent voter impersonation and electoral fraud and is generated via ERONET (since 2017), which is a web-based platform for automating the electoral roll process in multiple languages and scripts.
• Issues with EPIC numbers: ECI admitted that duplicate EPIC numbers occurred due to manual data entry and decentralized systems before ERONET, and assured that ERONET 2.0 would be updated to eliminate duplicate EPIC numbers.

Background of Aadhar-Voter ID Linking

• 2015 Supreme Court (SC) ruling: Aadhaar linking with the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) was halted following a SC order stating Aadhaar was not mandatory for availing government benefits.
• 2021 amendment: The Representation of the People Act, 1951 was amended to allow Aadhaar-EPIC linking.
• 2022 collection begins: EC started collecting Aadhaar details voluntarily but has not used them for electoral roll revisions.

Purpose of Aadhaar-Voter ID Linking

• Eliminating duplicate voter registrations: Aadhaar numbers would help detect multiple registrations and clean electoral rolls.
• Ensuring electoral roll integrity: Aimed at preventing electoral fraud and manipulation.

Key Meeting Details Scheduled for March 18, 2025

• Participants: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Legislative Department Secretary Rajiv Mani, and UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar.
• Agenda: Discussing Aadhaar seeding with EPIC amid allegations of voter list irregularities.

Opposition Concerns and Allegations

• Allegations of voter list manipulation:
  • Trinamool Congress (TMC): Claims identical EPIC numbers exist in multiple states.
  • Rahul Gandhi and INDIA Bloc: Raised concerns about electoral roll discrepancies in Parliament.
• EC’s Response:
  • Acknowledged errors in EPIC numbering.
  • Assured correction of duplicate EPICs within three months.
  • Stated that having identical EPIC numbers does not necessarily indicate fake voters.

Government and EC Stand

• Voluntary nature of Aadhaar-EPIC linkage:
  • As per the Law Ministry (2024), Aadhaar submission remains voluntary.
  • Form 6B provides only two options: submitting Aadhaar or declaring non-availability.
• Existing data collection:
  • As of January 2025, India has 99 crore registered voters.
  • 66.23 crore Aadhaar numbers collected as per Supreme Court directives.
• Upcoming de-duplication process:
  • EC to update software to identify and replace duplicate EPIC cards.
  • New EPICs will be issued in non-election states.

Conclusion

• The EC’s meeting aims to address concerns regarding electoral integrity through Aadhaar-EPIC linkage. 
• While the Opposition sees it as a delayed reaction, the EC maintains that the process will enhance the credibility of electoral rolls. 
• The outcome of the discussions could impact future electoral processes and reforms.

Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) FAQs

Q1. What is the legal basis for linking Aadhaar with Voter ID in India?

Ans. The linking was enabled by the 2021 amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, allowing voluntary collection of Aadhaar numbers for electoral roll verification.

Q2. What are the key objectives of linking Aadhaar with EPIC?

Ans. The primary objectives are to eliminate duplicate voter registrations, enhance electoral roll integrity, and prevent electoral fraud.

Q3. What concerns have been raised by the Opposition regarding voter list irregularities?

Ans. Opposition parties, including TMC and the INDIA bloc, have alleged manipulation of voter lists, citing cases of identical EPIC numbers across multiple states.

Q4. How has the Election Commission responded to allegations of duplicate EPIC numbers?

Ans. The EC acknowledged the issue, clarified that identical numbers do not imply fake voters, and announced a three-month plan to issue new EPICs in non-election states.

Q5. What is the current status of Aadhaar-EPIC linkage in terms of implementation?

Ans. As of January 2025, the process remains voluntary, with 66.23 crore Aadhaar numbers collected out of 99 crore registered voters, and EC has yet to use Aadhaar for electoral roll revisions.

Source: IE