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A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political particpation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health.

Wildlife is a precious gift from God for this planet. The term “fauna” is not only for wild animals but also for all non-domesticated life forms including birds, insects, plants, fungi and even microscopic organisms. To maintain a healthy ecological balance on this land, animals, plants and marine species are as important as humans. Every organism on this earth has a unique place in the food chain that contributes to the ecosystem in its own way. But, unfortunately today, many animals and birds are endangered. 

Natural habitats of animals and plants are destroyed for land development and agriculture by humans. Poaching and hunting of animals for fur, jewellery, meat and leather are other important factors contributing to the extinction of wildlife. If soon, no rigorous measures are taken to save the fauna, it would not be long when they find a place on the list of extinct species. And that would not be all! The extinction of wild species will certainly have a fatal impact on the human race. So, for us as human beings, it becomes a great responsibility to save the wildlife, our planet and, most importantly, ourselves. Here are some other reasons for deep understanding why wildlife plays such an important role in maintaining an ecological balance on Earth.

The ecosystem is entirely based on the relationships between different organisms linked by food webs and food chains. Even if a single wild species dies out of the ecosystem, it can disrupt the entire food chain and lead to disastrous results. Consider a simple example of a bee that is vital for the growth of some crops because of their pollen transport roles. If bees are reduced in number, the growth of food crops would decrease significantly due to lack of pollination.

Similarly, if a species becomes larger, it may again have a negative effect on the ecological balance. Consider another simple case of carnivores that is shrinking every day because of human poaching and hunting. The reduction of these carnivores leads to an increase in the number of herbivores that depend on forest vegetation for their survival. It would not be long, when the number of herbivores in the forests would rise to such an extent that they would move to farmland and villages for their food needs. Thus, saving wildlife plays a big role in controlling the ecological balance, maintaining a healthy ecosystem.   

The human population depends largely on agricultural crops and plants for their food needs. Do you know that wildlife plays an important role in the growth of these crops? If not, we will understand the concept. The fruits and vegetables that we get from plants are the result of a process called pollination, a reproductive system in plants where the pollen grains of the male flower are transferred to the female flower, resulting in the production of seeds. Now, for pollination to occur, birds, bees and insects, some of the smallest species on this planet, play an important role. It is through these insects and birds that pollens are transferred between the flowers as they pass from one flower to another. Crop growth can be significantly affected if the number of birds and insects carried by the pollen decreases in number for any reason. You would be surprised to know that 90% of the world’s apple production depends on the pollination of bees.

In addition to pollination, many birds also play an important role in pest control by feeding on them.

No confidence motion is an endorsement or vote which conditions that an individual or a group is not able to hold the position of responsibility (government or managerial), possibly because they are inadequate in some respect. This can be failing to carry out obligations, or decision making that other members feel are unfavourable. After that, a motion from parliament can be taken which validates to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence into the appointed government.

 In India, as per rule 198 of the constitution, ‘the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. It states that any member may give a written notice before 10 am in the morning, the Speaker will read the motion of no-confidence in the House and can ask all those favouring this motion to rise. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the Speaker could allot a date for discussing the motion – but this has to be within 10 days. However, this cannot be done in conditions of din or confusion in the House’.

Mostly, this motion is the last step and actually, it is one of the most remarkable procedures. It authenticates the ultimate power of legislative over the executive in the Indian parliament. It usually proceeds like as below:

1. In Lok Sabha, a bill or a motion proposed by Opposition or a Coalition of Opposition is passed with a simple majority.

2. Then to know the strength of Government and MPs, votes review will be done and also understand the reason of bill passed by the opposition.

3. Regardless of the Government MPs all present and voting against the Bill, if the bill gets passed, the signals of the Government not being in majority becomes a reality.

4. Then, if the Opposition or coalition parties wishes to form an administration, they call for a No-Confidence Vote.

5. This No-Confidence Vote occurs in the Lok Sabha and the MPs decides ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. If the ‘Ayes’ are more, then the Government can collapse instantly.

A union territory is a sort of organisational division in the Indian Republic. It is not like states, we know that states has their own governments, actually union territories are directly ruled by the Central Government. Therefore, it reflects the name “union territory”. It also qualify the term federal territory. If we dig in history, these union territories were not the parts of pre independent India. As per provisions in our constitution, these parts were actually too small to be made as a state. 

In the year 1956, the States Reorganisation Commission recommended creation of a different category for these territories. As these places were neither fitting the model of a state, nor do they follow a uniform pattern when it comes to governance. Union Territories are ruled by Lieutenant Governor who is appointed by the Central government. He represents the President of India. Even though UTs have the opportunity to form respective governments and having a Legislature with elected Members and a Chief Minister (e.g. New Delhi and Puducherry), however their powers are lesser than the governments run by state. The number of Council of Ministers should not exceed 10% of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly. Chief Minister is considered the head of the council of ministers. If there is difference of opinion between the ministers and the Lieutenant Governor, the latter can refer it to the President and act according to the decision given by him.

Currently, we have eight union territories which are as follows:-

• Chandigarh

• Dadra and Nagar Haveli

• Daman and Diu

• Lakshadweep

• Puducherry (Pondicherry)

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• National Capital Territory of Delhi (also called Delhi NCR)

• Jammu and Kashmir

Tsunami is a giant sea wave which is caused mainly due to earthquakes occurring undersea. When an earthquake or a volcanic activity takes place, a large amount of water may get displaced. The displaced water forms waves. These waves when approach the shallow water in the coastal areas, becomes high and crashes onto the shore. Tsunami causes widespread destruction of lives and property.

Here we have segregated stepwise actions which should be taken before, in and after the Tsunami. 

1) Before a Tsunami: – 

• One should get ready before a tsunami strikes. It will help reduce damage to your home and business, it will also help you to survive.

• Ask your council about your tsunami risk, if you live in a coastal area, always keep a check on the local warning arrangements.

• If you have a disability or special requirements, arrange with your support network to alert you of any warnings and emergency broadcasts.

• Always advance a Household Emergency Plan and have a Getaway Kit ready with you.

• Know where the nearest high ground is and how you will reach it. Plan to get as high up or as far inland as you can. Plan your escape route for when you are at home, as well as for when you may be working or holidaying near the coast.

2) During a tsunami:-

• If possible, keep your getaway kit with you if possible. Do not travel into the areas at risk to get your kit or belongings.

• Try to take pets with you if you can do so safely.

• One should move instantly to the nearest higher ground, or as far inland as you can. If you have evacuation maps handy, follow the routes shown.

• Walk or bike if possible and drive only if essential. If driving, keep going once you are well outside the evacuation zone to allow room for others behind you.

• If in any case, one cannot escape the tsunami, then he/she should go to an upper storey of a sturdy building or climb onto a roof or up a tree. Or grab a floating object and hang on until help arrives.

• One should remember that boats are usually safer in water deeper than 100 metres than if they are on the shore. Always move boats out to sea only if there is time. It should be safe to do so.

• Never go to the shore to watch for a tsunami. Always try to stay away from at-risk areas until the official all-clear is given.

• Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.

3) After a tsunami:-

• Always try to be connected to the radio for civil defence advice and do not return to the evacuation zones until authorities have given the all-clear.

• Be aware that there may be more than one wave and it may not be safe for up to 24 hours, or longer. The waves that follow the first one may also be bigger.

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if needed. Help others if you can.

• Do not visit for any sightseeing.

• One should extreme caution while re-entering homes or buildings, floodwaters may have damaged buildings. 

• Be sure to take notes and photographs for insurance purposes if the building gets into damage state. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.

              

A tsunami is actually a series of waves. One must not go to an affected coastal area until it is declared to be safe by authorities.

All those measures that include help in protecting the earth from destruction and exhaustion are known as soil conservation. In our country, soil erosion has been continuing over for such a long time that it has assumed alarming proportions.

Following methods are normally adopted for conserving soil:

1. Afforestation:

One of the best ways to conserve soil is to increase the area under forests. Undiscriminating trees cutting should be stopped and efforts should be made to plant trees in new areas. 20 to 25 per cent, as they say, is the minimum area of forest land for the whole country which is considered healthy for soil and water conservation. Nevertheless, it was raised to 33 per cent in the second five-year plan; the proportion being 20 per cent for the plains and 60 per cent for hilly and mountainous regions.

2. Checking Overgrazing:

Grazing is very important. But overgrazing of forests and grasslands by animals, especially by herds and flocks of sheep, goats, should be properly checked. One can earmark separate grazing grounds. Alternate fodder crops should be grown in larger quantities. 

3. Constructing Dams:

One of the scientific methods to check soil erosion. Soil erosion which happens maximum by river floods can be avoided by constructing dams across the rivers. Water speed can be checked and it considerably saves soil from erosion.

4. Changing Agricultural Practices:

We can save a lot of our valuable soil by bringing about certain changes in our agricultural practices. Roughly the context is described below:

(i) Crop Rotation:

As the name suggests, it is rotating crops. In India, peasants grow a particular crop in the same field year after year. This practice takes away certain elements from the soil, making it infertile and exhausted rendering it unsuitable for that crop. 

(ii) Strip Cropping:

Parallel to one another, crops may be cultivated in alternate strips. Some strips may be allowed to lie fallow while in others different crops may be sown e.g., small tree crops, grains, grass legumes, etc. Numerous yields ripen at diverse times of the year and are harvested at intervals. This very method gives surety that at no time of the year the entire area is left bare or exposed.

(iii) Use of Early Maturing Varieties:

Primary budding varieties of crops take really very less time to mature. Thus putting lesser pressure on the soil. In this way it can help in reducing the soil erosion.

(iv) Contour Ploughing:

Technical methods, one can say. Ploughing is done at right angles to the hill slope, following the natural contours of the hill. It makes the ridges and furrows break the flow of water down the hill. As gullies are less, this prevents excessive soil loss. It is likely to develop and reduce run-off so that plants receive more water. 

(vi) Terracing and Contour Bunding:

Claims to be one of the oldest methods of soil conservation. Terracing and contour bunding across the hill slopes are very effective. It is done by cutting hill slope into a number of terraces having horizontal top and steep slopes on the back and front. 

(vii) Checking Shifting Cultivation:

Shifting cultivation method is mainly used by tribal. We can persuade tribals to switch over to settled agriculture by checking shifting cultivation. Arrangements for tribal resettlement can help to make them understand the new way of cultivation. The new method involves the provision of agricultural implements, residential accommodation. 

(viii) Ploughing the Land in Right Direction:

Ploughing the land in a perpendicular direction to wind direction. This also reduces wind velocity and protects the topsoil from erosion.