Why in news
- A study demonstrated that electing female legislators in state assemblies leads to faster annual forest-cover growth in India.
Key Findings of the Study
- Electing a female Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) increased annual forest-cover growth by approximately six percentage points in reserved constituencies.
- The impact was most significant in constituencies reserved for historically marginalised communities such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Underlying Governance Mechanisms
- Female representatives demonstrate higher policy focus on local common-pool resources and environmental protection.
- Gender-inclusive decision-making aligns community resource rights with forest protection objectives.
Why it Matters
- Provides empirical evidence for the ecological benefits of political reservation for women.
- Supports India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of expanding carbon sinks through community-led forestry.
Key terms
Carbon Sink
A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores more atmospheric carbon dioxide than it releases.
Prelims facts
- Empirical links between gender reservation in state assemblies and environmental outcomes in SC/ST reserved constituencies.
Mains discussion
- Evaluate the role of gender-inclusive political representation in achieving sustainable natural resource management and climate goals.
Source: Mongabay India
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2015 · Q74 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to 'Forest Carbon Partnership Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples. 2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management. 3. It assists the countries in their 'REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation +)' efforts by providing them financial and technical assistance. Select the correct answer using the code given below -
2019 · Q33 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following states: 1. Chhattisgarh 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Maharashtra 4. Odisha With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order? -
2016 · Q33 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of 'Green India Mission' of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the 'green accounting'. 2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future. 3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. Select the correct answer using the code given below -
2025 · Q1 · GS II · 10 marks
Discuss the 'corrupt practices' for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute 'undue influence' and consequently a corrupt practice. -
2023 · Q14 · GS II · 15 marks
Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.