Eurasian Otter
Context: Once thought extinct in Kashmir, the Eurasian otter has been sighted again in the Lidder River and other locations, reviving hopes for restoring the region’s fragile aquatic ecosystem.
Important Pointers:
Scientific Name: Lutra lutra
Common Names: Also called European otter, Eurasian River otter, common otter, or Old-World otter.
Distribution (Global): Widely distributed across Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Russia, China, and other parts of Asia.
Distribution (India): Found in northern, northeastern, and southern India.
Habitat: Inhabits a wide range of aquatic ecosystems—rivers, lakes, marshes, coastal areas, and mountain streams in the Indian subcontinent.
Physical Features: Sleek brown fur, paler underside, webbed feet, vibrissae (sensitive whiskers), short legs, thick tail, and dense fur that insulates with trapped air.
Behaviour: Solitary and elusive, with acute senses of sight, smell, and hearing.
Communication: Uses high-pitched whistles, twittering sounds during play, and cat-like noises when fighting.
Adaptations: Closes ears and nose underwater; vibrissae detect prey; fur traps insulating air layer.
Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on fish and aquatic fauna.
Conservation Status:
IUCN: Near Threatened
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
CITES: Appendix I
Kashmir Sighting:
Local Name: Known as Vuder in Kashmir.
Comeback in Kashmir: Spotted after ~30 years in Lidder River, Srigufwara, South Kashmir; previously thought extinct in the Valley.
Other 2025 Sightings: Reported in Gurez Valley and Heerpora (Shopian), indicating population revival.
Historical Range (Kashmir): Previously abundant in Dachigam, Dal Lake feeder streams, Rambiara stream, and Lidder River.
Causes of Decline: Water pollution and hunting for fur led to the disappearance from local water bodies.
Significance: Rediscovery boosts hope for aquatic ecosystem restoration in Kashmir.
Indian Polity and Governance
Internal Emergency
Context: On June 12, 1975, Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court invalidated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election, a landmark verdict that directly led to the declaration of Emergency in India.
Important Pointers:
Declared Under: Article 352 of the Constitution due to “internal disturbance”, later replaced with “armed rebellion” by the 44th Amendment.
Period: Declared on June 25, 1975, and lasted till March 21, 1977.
President: Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed the Emergency on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Trigger: Allahabad High Court verdict (June 12, 1975) found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices.
Fundamental Rights Suspended: Articles 14, 21, and 22 among others; Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) also suspended.
Censorship: Press censorship imposed; opposition leaders arrested under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act).
Constitutional Amendment: 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 was passed during this period, called the “Mini Constitution”, greatly expanded executive powers.
Political Impact: Widespread criticism of authoritarianism; led to the formation of the Janata Party, which won the 1977 general elections.
Judicial Response: In ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla (1976), the Supreme Court held that the Right to Life (Article 21) could be suspended during an Emergency, but later