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- The 2025 United Nations World Water Development Report highlights that the retreat of glaciers is endangering the food and water security of 2 billion people globally.
- About the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR):
- The WWDR is a leading report published by UN-Water on water and sanitation challenges. It provides an in-depth, expert analysis of the state, usage, and management of the world's freshwater resources. Released annually on World Water Day (March 22), the report focuses on a specific theme each year, offering policy recommendations, best practices, and detailed assessments for decision-makers. UNESCO publishes the report on behalf of UN-Water, with coordination from the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme.
- Key Findings from the 2025 WWDR:
- Theme: Mountains and Glaciers – Water Towers
- The report states that all mountain ranges have experienced warming since the early 20th century. As global temperatures rise, more mountain precipitation is expected to fall as rain rather than snow, which leads to thinner snowpacks that melt earlier in the year. This change in precipitation patterns could lead to significant disruptions for both human populations and ecosystems.
- The report also highlights the phenomenon of "peak water," which occurs when snow and ice melt accelerate in glacier-fed rivers, initially increasing river flow. However, once the snow and ice reach a certain threshold, river flow begins to decline. The report provides strong evidence that this "peak water" threshold has already been surpassed in several regions, including the tropical Andes, western Canada, and the Swiss Alps.
- Furthermore, the report points out that many glaciers have already disappeared. For instance, Colombia has lost 90% of its glacial area since the mid-19th century. The report warns that, with ongoing climate change, many glaciers are likely to vanish entirely in the coming decades. Projections indicate that a global temperature increase of 1.5–4°C could lead to a loss of 26-41% of glaciers' 2015 mass by 2100.
- The report underscores the far-reaching impacts of glacier retreat, including a decrease in water availability for drinking and agriculture, threats to local ecosystems, and an increased risk of devastating glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). It emphasizes that two billion people are at risk due to the loss of glaciers, and that two-thirds of the world's irrigated agriculture could face challenges due to declining glaciers and snowpack in mountainous regions—an issue driven by the ongoing climate crisis.
- In a recent breakthrough, scientists have identified a new species of freshwater algae called Sheathia rosemalayensis in Rosemala, located in the Kollam district of Kerala.
- About Sheathia rosemalayensis:
- Sheathia rosemalayensis is a newly discovered species of freshwater algae. It was found in Rosemala, situated in the Western Ghats of Kerala, and has been named after this location.
- This discovery is particularly significant as species from the Sheathia genus are incredibly rare in India. Prior to this, only one other species had been reported from the Himalayas.
- Sheathia rosemalayensis has thus far only been observed in the southern Western Ghats, a geographically unique region. In comparison, other species within the Sheathia genus, such as S. assamica, S. indonepalensis, and S. dispersa, are found in a much broader range, including Assam, Nepal, Indonesia, Taiwan, and even the Hawaiian Archipelago.
- The Kerala High Court recently reaffirmed that tax assessment orders made without considering binding precedents set by higher courts violate the doctrine of precedent and are therefore unsustainable.
- About the Doctrine of Precedent:
- The doctrine of precedent refers to the practice whereby courts follow previous judicial decisions, ensuring that once a legal principle has been established in a case, it must be applied to future cases with similar facts. This principle is often called 'stare decisis.'
- Lower courts are required to respect and follow the rulings made by higher courts. This system promotes consistency, predictability, and stability in the legal system by obligating courts to adhere to the principles set forth in prior judgments.
- The doctrine is rooted in Article 141 of the Indian Constitution, which states that the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts in India. This means that lower courts must follow the legal interpretations and rulings made by the Supreme Court.
- Key Aspects:
- Ratio Decidendi: The legal reasoning behind a judgment that forms the binding part. Courts must apply this reasoning in similar cases.
- Obiter Dicta: Remarks made by the court that are not essential to the decision. Though not legally binding, they may still influence future judgments.
- Landmark Judgment: In the case of State of Orissa v. Mamata Patnaik (1978), the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of adhering to precedent. The Court underscored that following established legal principles ensures uniformity and consistency in the application of the law.