State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 11 Apr 2026

Uttarakhand High Court Bans Oak Tree Cutting

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand High Court has restrained the Mussoorie municipality from cutting trees without obtaining prior permission from the forest department after reports of illegal felling in the area. 

Key Points 

• Court Directive: The High Court ordered that no trees should be felled without obtaining prior approval from the Forest Department, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. 
  • The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Subhash Upadhyay. 
• Location: At MPG College located in Husain Ganj area of Mussoorie in Uttarakhand. 
• Reason: A petition filed by Pravesh Singh Rana alleged that several oak trees were being cut by the municipality under the pretext of road expansion. 
• Action: Authorities issued challans against the individuals responsible, and investigations into the illegal felling are currently underway. 
• Environmental Concern: The court emphasised the need to protect ecologically important Himalayan tree species, particularly oak trees, which are crucial for water conservation, soil stability, and biodiversity in the hill ecosystem.

Telangana Declared Cancer a Notifiable Disease

Why in News? 

The government of Telangana has declared cancer a notifiable disease, making it mandatory for healthcare providers to report all diagnosed cases to a centralised system to strengthen disease surveillance and improve cancer management.  

Key Points 

• Status: The state government has officially classified cancer as a notifiable disease, requiring compulsory reporting of all diagnosed cases across the state.  
  • All public and private hospitals, laboratories, healthcare facilities, and registrars of births and deaths must report cancer cases within one month of diagnosis to a centralized portal. 
  • Both pre-cancerous (in-situ) and invasive cancer cases must be reported under the new system to ensure comprehensive tracking. 
• Objective: The initiative aims to create a reliable real-time database of cancer cases, helping authorities understand the actual burden of the disease and plan healthcare policies more effectively. 
• Major Cancer Types: Common cancers include breast and cervical cancer in women and oral and lung cancer in men, many of which can be prevented or treated if detected early. 

Read More: Cancer