What Is ECINET?
- ECINET is a new digital platform developed by the Election Commission (EC).
- Aimed at speeding up data entry, verification, and dissemination during and after elections.
- First piloted in by-elections across four States earlier this month.
Relevance : GS (Elections -Reforms)
Key Functional Improvements
- Voter turnout trends were uploaded directly by presiding officers.
- Replaced the manual paper-based process, leading to real-time updates.
- Index Cards — summaries of election results per constituency — were published within 72 hours.
- Earlier, this process took several days due to manual data verification.
Impact of ECINET
- Faster and more transparent dissemination of election data.
- Reduces bureaucratic delay and potential for human error in tabulation.
- Enhances accountability, especially in the publication of post-election statistics.
Broader Significance
- ECINET is part of the digitisation push by the EC to modernise election operations.
- If successful, it could:
- Become the standard model for future Assembly and General Elections.
- Lead to digitised electoral roll verification, faster result auditing, and increased transparency.
- However, political parties still demand more accountability tools, indicating digital tech alone isn’t enough to assure electoral fairness.
When cities have trees that don’t belong, the birds notice
Urban Heat and Biodiversity Decline
- Climate change + urbanisation is leading to rising temperatures and declining green cover in Indian cities, notably Bengaluru.
- Heat islands (urban zones hotter than surroundings) show significantly lower bird diversity.
- Biodiversity is clustered in areas with more tree cover and less heat, showing strong correlation between microclimate and species richness.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Bird Diversity Findings from the Study
- Study by IIHS researchers used eBird data and satellite heat models.
- Bengaluru, with over 350 bird species, sees sharp drops in diversity where tree cover declines or heat increases.
- Not all birds benefit from more trees — some open habitat species thrive where tree density is lower.
Tree Cover: Quality Matters More Than Quantity
- Mere increase in tree cover doesn’t guarantee more biodiversity.
- 77% of Bengaluru’s tree cover is exotic, not supporting native fauna.
- Invasive ornamental trees (e.g., Jacaranda, Tabebuia) are visually appealing but harm local ecosystems and can exacerbate allergies and reduce insect biodiversity.
Problems with Tree Plantation Drives
- Many afforestation efforts ignore local ecological history and plant non-native species.
- Cities like Pune originally had savannahs, grasslands, and wetlands, now replaced by tree plantations.
- Simplistic “tree = green = good” logic is flawed — restoration needs native diversity, not just tree count.
What Should Urban Biodiversity Planning Involve?
- Move away from one-size-fits-all tree planting; consider historical land-use and local ecosystem types.
- Include native grasses, herbs, shrubs, and wetland species alongside trees.
- Mixed approach needed: small gardens, isolated trees, green corridors, wetlands, and large parks.
Ecological & Social Equity
- Poor and marginalised communities are most affected by heat stress and lack of green spaces.
- Urban biodiversity planning must serve both ecology and equity.
- Increasing access to green spaces is vital — some public parks restrict entry, worsening inequity.
Key Takeaways for Policy & Practice
- Tree planting must be strategic and ecologically informed.
- City biodiversity plans should have clear goals, zonal strategies, and native species focus.
- Heat mitigation and biodiversity conservation can be aligned — if done wisely.
