Introduction
Today's legal and governance highlights center on environmental jurisprudence, with the hosting of UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil bringing "Nature-based Solutions" to the forefront. The analysis also covers the statutory framework for financial instruments like Infrastructure Bonds and the critical health governance issue of Rabies control in India.
1. Environmental Law: Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
The hosting of COP30 has amplified the legal focus on "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS) as a key mechanism for climate compliance under international treaties.
A. International Framework
UNFCCC & Paris Agreement: NbS is integral to meeting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
ENACT Partnership: Launched at COP27, it serves as a collaborative hub to align efforts across the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD). This reinforces the legal obligation of states to protect biodiversity as a means of climate mitigation.
B. Domestic Policy & Statutory Links
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification: NbS like mangrove restoration (MISHTI scheme) are legally supported under the CRZ rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAMPA): Provides the statutory financial mechanism for afforestation projects, a core component of terrestrial NbS.
2. Financial Law: Infrastructure Bonds
The State-run Bank of India raised ₹10,000 crore via infrastructure bonds, highlighting the statutory regulations governing these debt instruments.
A. Regulatory Framework
RBI Guidelines: The Reserve Bank of India permits banks to issue infrastructure bonds with a minimum maturity of 7 years.
Statutory Exemptions: A key legal incentive is that funds raised via these bonds are exempt from statutory reserve requirements like SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) and CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio). This exemption is granted under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and RBI Act provisions to encourage long-term infrastructure financing.
3. Public Health Law: Rabies Control
A new study highlights India's burden of rabies deaths, bringing attention to the legal mandates for disease control and animal welfare.
A. Legal Mandate
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (amended in 2023) mandate the "Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release" (CNVR) method. Culling of stray dogs is generally prohibited unless under specific irreversible illness conditions.
Supreme Court Direction (2025): The analysis notes a recent SC direction to states to remove stray dogs from public institutions, balancing animal rights with public safety.
Statutory Duty: Under Article 47, the State has a primary duty to improve public health. The National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) is the executive implementation of this duty.
Key Legal Takeaways
International Partnership: ENACT (Enhancing Nature-based Solutions), linked to Rio Conventions.
Financial Regulation: Infrastructure Bonds (Exempt from CRR/SLR under Banking Regulation Act/RBI norms).
Animal Law: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Governs stray dog population control).
Judicial Direction: Supreme Court 2025 Order on stray dogs in public institutions.
Constitutional Article: Article 47 (Public Health duty regarding Rabies).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are Infrastructure Bonds exempt from CRR and SLR requirements?
Answer: Yes. To incentivize long-term lending to the infrastructure sector, the RBI exempts funds raised through infrastructure bonds from the mandatory Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) requirements.
Q2: Which international conventions are linked by the ENACT partnership?
Answer: ENACT aligns efforts across the three Rio Conventions: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Q3: Is Rabies a notifiable disease in India?
Answer: Yes, Rabies has been made a notifiable disease in humans, meaning all cases must be legally reported to government health authorities to ensure proper surveillance and response.
Q4: Can stray dogs be culled (killed) in India for population control?
Answer: Generally, no. Under the Animal Birth Control Rules framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, mass killing of stray dogs is prohibited. The legal method for population control is sterilization and vaccination (CNVR).
Q5: What is the minimum maturity period for infrastructure bonds issued by banks in India?
Answer: The RBI mandates a minimum maturity period of 7 years for infrastructure bonds.