Himalayan Brown Bear

The Himalayan brown bear, also known as the Himalayan red bear, isabelline bear, is a subspecies of the brown bear occurring in the western Himalayas. Their population in Kashmir is facing numerous challenges that threaten both their survival and human safety.

• IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered
• CITES – Appendix I.
  • Only the populations of Bhutan, China, Mexico and Mongolia; all other populations are included in Appendix II.
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 – Schedule 1.
• Habitat: High altitude open valleys and pastures.  During the summer months the bears move up as high as the snow-line at around 5,500 metres and then descend into the valleys in the autumn.
• Threats:  Habitat loss, killing by livestock herders, and poaching for fur and for the illegal body parts trade.  In Pakistan there are the additional threats of habitat insularisation and bear baiting.  Overall, the population is in decline.
• With only an estimated 500-750 bears left in India, urgent conservation efforts are required to ensure their survival.

Figure 1: encircled area in the left denotes the historical range of Himalayan Brown bear

 

 

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)

• It was set up to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, between a service provider and a group of consumers, and to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI.
• Composition:
  • The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government.
  • The Chairperson should be or should have been a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • A Member should have held the post of Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government for a period of not less than two years or a person who is well versed in the field of technology, telecommunication, industry, commerce or administration.