1. Doctrine of Essentiality
Recently, the Union Government told the Supreme Court that Waqf is not an essential part of Islam.
About Doctrine of Essentiality
† It is a jurisprudential principle formulated by the Supreme Court of India to determine which religious practices qualify as essential and are thereby protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.
† It aims to strike a balance between the freedom of religion and other fundamental rights.
† It ensures that religious practices do not infringe upon the rights to equality, dignity and liberty.
2. Asiatic Lion population increases from 647 to 891 in 5 years: 16th Lion Census (2025)
† The census conducted (every 5 years) by the Gujarat Forest Department.
† Project Lion (2020), has the goal of long term conservation for them to perform their ecological role and retain the evolutionary potential.
About Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)
Habitat : • Grasslands, savannas, dense scrub, and open woodlands.
• Concentrated in the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat).
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary has emerged as a second home for lions.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Characteristics of Asiatic Lion:
• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
• A distinctive characteristics seen in Asiatic lions ( rarely in African Lions) is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
• Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible.
• Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
3. China and Pakistan agree to expand the China - Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched in 2015 as a flagship project of China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI).
• BRI is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched in 2013 by China to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Gulf region, Africa, and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
About CPEC
• It is a ~3000 km start Kashar, China and end Gwadar Port, Pakistan.
• This route reduce the shipping distance for Chinese imports or imports from 12,000km to ~3,000km.
India's concerns on CEPC
• Geopolitical: Strengthening of China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral relation poses Geopolitical threat and security challenges in South Asia.
• Geostrategic: Gwadar Port could potentially be used by Chinese navy, expanding China's influence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
• Territorial Sovereignty and integrity: A major section of CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, which is part of Pakistan-occupied Kasmir(PoK), infringing upon India's territory in Jammu and Kashmir.
Steps taken by India to counter CEPC
• Chabahar Port (Iran): India and Iran have signed a contract for Chabahar port operations to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• International North-South Transport Corridor: A multi- modal trade route connecting India to Russia and Europe via Iran, Central Asia, and the Caspian Sea.
•India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): To enhance connectivity and secure regional supply chains resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and Middle-East.
