1. Powai Lake, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was found non-compliant in stopping untreated sewage from entering Powai Lake. National Green Tribunal (NGT) committee recommended a fine of Rs 5 lakh per month per inlet if the action plan is violated. Powai Lake is an artificial lake in northern Mumbai, Maharashtra. It lies near Western Ghats and has a catchment area of 6.6 square kilometres.
2. A new spider species named Dolomedes indicus was recently discovered in which region of India?
[A] Western Ghats
[B] Northeastern
[C] Ladakh
[D] Eastern Ghats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Western Ghats]
Notes:
A new spider species named Dolomedes indicus was discovered in the evergreen rainforests of Western Ghats in Wayanad district, Kerala. It is the first recorded species of the Dolomedes genus, also called raft or fishing spiders, found in India. Unlike house spiders, it is an active semi-aquatic hunter that hunts on water surfaces. It senses vibrations using water surface tension and quickly jumps to catch insects or small fish. It can swim and dive in water.
3. Which country has become the first in the African Region to eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness?
[A] Niger
[B] Rwanda
[C] Algeria
[D] Ethiopia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Niger]
Notes:
Niger became the first country in the African Region to eliminate onchocerciasis, also called river blindness. Niger is the fifth country worldwide to stop transmission of Onchocerca volvulus parasite. Other successful countries are Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico in the Americas. World Health Organisation (WHO) praised Niger’s strong leadership and public health efforts. Onchocerciasis is the second leading infectious cause of blindness after trachoma. It spreads through bites of infected black flies found near rivers. It mainly affects rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, and some parts of Latin America.
4. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Kerala
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajasthan]
Notes:
A tigress will be airlifted from Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), Rajasthan, marking the state’s first inter-state tiger translocation. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) is located in Bundi district, Rajasthan. It acts as a wildlife corridor between Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve. Mez River, a tributary of Chambal River, flows through the reserve.
5. What is the IUCN conservation status of the Red-breasted parakeet that was recently spotted at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna?
[A] Endangered
[B] Critically Endangered
[C] Least Concern
[D] Near Threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Near Threatened]
Notes:
Two pairs of red-breasted parakeets were spotted on the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna campus, exciting birdwatchers and highlighting local biodiversity. These birds are listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This is the first confirmed sighting of red-breasted parakeets in Bihar. Scientific name of the species is Psittacula alexandri, also called the moustached parakeet. They are native to Southeast Asian countries and easily identified by the large red patch on their breast.
