5th STUDENT ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE, 2011

5^th STUDENT ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE, 2011

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Indo- U.S. Nuclear Deal: Emerging Issues of International Law

The India-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (or the 123 Agreement) is a bilateral agreement for civil nuclear commerce between the two countries, the United States of America and India.

Within India, critics believe that the reciprocal non-proliferation commitments India has entered into, as part of the agreement, bring it closer to the regime it has always opposed, thereby compromising its strategic sovereign independence and right to test nuclear weapons in future, thus, bringing India into a de facto defense alliance with the U.S.

 From the international angle, it has been primarily alleged by the critics that the India exception bends non-proliferation rules irreparably for political purposes and sends the wrong signal to countries such as Iran.

However, it may be noted that future generations may remember the deal for quite different reasons than the debate over nuclear proliferation!

The 123 Agreement has opened the Pandora’s Box due to which, several other issues, such as human rights, international trade law, and international environmental law have surfaced on the international horizon.

This conference seeks to identify the concrete legal areas which will get affected and the respective legal implications of the 123 Agreement by following a multifaceted approach.

It is hereby informed that: ------

a)      The last date for submission of abstract is 10th April, 2011.

b)      The last date for submission of the full length paper is 31^st May, 2011.

Both, the abstract and the paper must be mailed to nliu.cril@gmail.com

The participation is allowed to a maximum of two (2) members per team. Registration fee for each participating student shall be Rs. 50/- only. This is to clarify that a team of two members is required to pay Rs. 80/- only. Registration would be done at the time of commencement of the Round Table Conference on 30th of July 2011.

For any further clarifications please contact: Rhea Joshi ( rhea8790@gmail.com ) or to Shruti Goswami (shruti.dgp@gmail.com).

Submission of both the soft and the hard copy is mandatory.

Note: Other rules and regulations shall be forwarded to those who register their participation.

Save the Tiger Campaign

CONSULTATIVE MEET ON SAVE TIGER ON 28.11.2010

ORGANISED BY

CELL FOR RESEARCH IN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND PRAYATNA

This meeting was attended by students from the GoGreen club of MANIT, Bhopal. It addressed the growing concerns of the efforts like Millenium Development Goals, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and sustainable development not being seriously acted upon. It also highlighted the clash between Tiger conservation and increasing commercial interest of the tourism industry where reserved forest area was being encroached upon because of the growth in tourism in forest areas. Mr. Dubey told us that an   RTI Application has been filed against endangering of core reserve area for tiger habitat due to unsystemized and unrestricted tourism. The three major issues delved into: ®    Tiger Protection ®    Tiger Habitat ®    Tigers in M.P. He further spoke of     development at the cost of nature and how the state appears to support development of unrestricted tourism. He brought to notice that only 276 tigers left in M.P. 6 Tiger Reserves. The  Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 talks about 2 specific areas of a tiger reserve: ®    An inner critical tiger reserve area ®    Outer to it, a buffer zone. He highlighted the inaction of the State government despite disappearance of 35 tigers from Panna, M.P.   No buffer zones had been created. Nor were later created in other reserves. It was alarming to note that only 1411 tigers left only in India. Among his observations, the most important were:

•    International poaching should be checked
•  Tourism should be stopped in Core Areas.
•   Recurrent incidents of tigers (including the events at Panna and Bandhavgarh) being crushed by vehicles are not drawing any concern whatsoever from the authorities, despite media and citizen umbrage.
•     Lack of conviction and intention to implement laws should be checked.
•     Buffer Zone should be notified. Especially in context of:®    Deforestation ®    Illegal mining. 
•   A fresh special tiger conservation plan should be made in the event of non-existence or ineffectiveness of prior special packages by the Central government.
•  The petition filed in the court had also asked for an audit report on the expenditures on tiger conservation. Discrepancies like expenditure of crores on tiger conservation while not spotting tigers for over 3 years in areas were observed.
• Citizens, especially the youth need to highlight their concern effectively and appeal and pressurize the government to take urgent and necessary measures to seriously enforce tiger conservation measures and go beyond mere speeches and conversations only. Urgent and immediate action is required.o       Requirement of active participation of citizens.
•   Misuse of money and non-enforcement of laws were primary reasons behind failure of the Tiger project.
•  Corruption has an entrenched nexus in tiger poaching.

Our faculty in-charge Dr. Raka Arya observed:

•      Sustainable development in general and harmonious development in particular require immediate attention.
•    The entire concept of Tiger tourism at the cost of the lives of the tigers itself is absolutely absurd and draws much concern and anxiety.
•    Duplicity and hypocrisy in a country like India where tigers are being worshipped and being killed ruthlessly and unabashedly seeks condemnation.
•   Original tribal/forest dwellers are well versed with the art of wildlife conservation. However, intruders and external forces lure them with money, benefits and/or other pressure tactics to indulge in poaching and selling of animal parts.
•   It cannot be denied that poaching and selling of animal parts has become a huge and ever-increasing market.
•    Apathy towards and interference in the lifestyle of both the tigers and the tribal/ forest dwellers has resulted in the ultimate deprivation of both.
•   Original tribal/ forest dwellers have been outsmarted and displaced. Fake and ‘on  paper’ dwellers have encroached their area.
•   Accountability of the conservation system and the government is required. The values of environment worship cannot be ignored. Best means and ways to protect tigers should be seriously and urgently implemented.
•   Effective implementation of existing laws needs to be done.
•  Such nexus often involve powerful people from within and outside the government. Therefore, there’s more difficulty in catching and prosecuting the culprits.

The meeting ended with the following conclusions :

o       Preparation of a memorandum of demands for conservation of tigers.

o       Eco-march and arrangement of conversation with government officials.

o       Formation of a citizens pressure group/ forum for interaction on this issue.

o       Regular open to all interactive sessions on tiger conservation.

o       ‘No’ to tiger tourism where the habitat to tigers are adversely affected.

o       Candle-light march demanding saving of tigers.

o       Conducting seminars, talks and like events across schools and colleges.

o       Introduction of special events initiating debate, discussion etc., in college fests.

o       Easy to understand Brochure of tiger conservation laws for circulation amongst the public.

o       Full support of the existing legal movements for tiger protection and conservation.

o       Tiger Protection integrity Pact – wherein government officials may be asked to sign an undertaking to show their solidarity, conviction and act towards tiger protection and conservation.

o       Signatures of citizens on a similar pact.


Please Visit....
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/crouching-tourists-hidden-tiger

http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/7025531.cms 

GD on Corruption

On the request of the student body, CRIL invites you to a Group Discussion among like minded students on

“Corruption and Development in India”

Corruption, defined as 'the abuse of public power for personal ends', has always existed but during recent decades, however, it has grown both in terms of geographic extent and intensity.  Does development impact corruption? Does corruption stunt development? What are the sites and forms of corruption? Is there a need for a multifaceted approach for curbing corruption? If you are as perturbed as we are about the humiliating state of affairs keeping in view the events of the recent past, then come and join us –

Date: 4^th September 2010

Time: 11.30 a.m.

Venue: Academic Block

You do not need to sit down and listen…This time it is your turn to speak!

Panel Discussion on Fighting Corruption

The Cell for Research in International Law at the National Law Institute University, Bhopal in collaboration with Transparency International, India and Prayatna, an NGO working in the field of the Right to Information organised a panel discussion on “Fighting Corruption and Promoting Governance” on Saturday, 31st July,2010.

The panellists were distinguished personalities like Shri S.C. Tripathi, the former DGP of Madhya Pradesh; Shri K.S.Sharma, the former Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh; Dr P.Rajagopal, Chairperson; Ms Anupama Jha from Transparency International, India and Mr Ajay Dubey, Secretary, Prayatna. The panellists expressed that greed and maladministration were the root causes of corruption. They opined that corruption is not taken seriously in India. This was observed in light of the corruption in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, 2010 in New Delhi. It was observed that the laws and the procedures prescribed by them are archaic. A drastic change in the Indian legal system was suggested by the panel. Dr P. Rajagopal discussed the citizen charter and its objective of setting up a responsible government. Mr Ajay Dubey, a well known RTI activist explained the role of RTI Act in fighting corruption. Procedure to file an application under the RTI act was also discussed by him. Mr. Ravindra Jain, the editor of Raj Express enlightened the audience about corruption in public life. By giving examples from real life, he not only had the audiences in splits but also conveyed a very strong message.

Post- lunch, a documentary on corruption in the police department written and directed by Mr. Upendra Verma, himself a former member of the police was screened. Lastly, the most awaited question and answer round took place where students and teachers asked intriguing questions to the panellists resulting in an interactive session. The panellists emphasized that until there is a change in the very nature and behaviour of people at an individual level, rich and poor, young and old alike; it was very unlikely that the malaise of corruption can be nipped into the bud.

On the whole, the discussion was well attended and it turned out to be an informative experience for one and all. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the esteemed panellists who spared their valuable time for this event. Not to forget our very own, Dr. Raka Arya, faculty in-charge of CRIL for her constant and unending support which led the event to be a success. We are looking forward for such discussions in the future.

THE CRIL TEAM