Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) on the UN Plastics Treaty was held from April 23–29, 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. The meeting was the second-to-last round of talks to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The meeting was preceded by regional consultations on April 21, 2024. The INC-4 meeting brought together diplomats, civil society leaders, business groups, and other stakeholders to reach an agreement on reducing waste.

Notes:
Enceladus, one of Saturn’s 146 moons, reveals potential for life with its liquid ocean, carbon-based chemistry, and energy from tidal heating. NASA’s Cassini-Huygens mission, spanning 2004 to 2017, discovered plumes of water erupting from Enceladus, providing insights into its subsurface ocean’s composition. The presence of life-supporting phosphate in ice grains further strengthens the case. Mimas and Titan, Saturn’s other moons, also show signs of life, expanding the search for extraterrestrial habitats.

Notes:
On Earth Day 2024, Bhutan leads the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference, striving to raise $1 billion in a decade to safeguard crucial tiger habitats. Co-hosted by Bhutan’s Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the event, in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition, highlights sustainable finance, the UN’s Global Biodiversity Framework, and essential public-private partnerships for tiger conservation.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government intends to denotify a significant portion of the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary. Situated along the Bay of Bengal between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is India’s second-largest brackish water lake, following Odisha’s Lake Chilika. Sriharikota Island acts as a barrier between the lagoon and the Bay of Bengal. Fed by the Kalangi and Arani rivers, the sanctuary hosts the largest gathering of flamingos.

Notes:
The 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC) revealed alarming statistics, with nearly 282 million people experiencing acute food insecurity in 59 countries in 2023. Produced annually by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), the report analyzed 1.3 billion people across these nations. Conflict, extreme weather, and economic shocks were identified as major drivers of food crises, with conflict particularly affecting regions like Palestine and Sudan, impacting 135 million people.

Notes:
Prabowo Subianto, formerly Indonesia’s Defense Minister, has been appointed as country’s new President, succeeding Joko Widodo. Indonesia’s presidential term spans five years with the possibility of re-election. Subianto’s appointment marks a significant political transition, highlighting the democratic processes in Indonesia. His background in defense affairs signals potential shifts in national security policies under his leadership.

Notes:
A new plant species, Stellaria mcclintockiae, has been identified by researchers in the Nelliyampathy hills, belonging to the Stellaria (Caryophyllaceae species) group. Named in tribute to geneticist Barbara McClintock, it’s the first of its kind discovered in southern India. The species exhibits distinct traits compared to others in the wild, marking a significant addition to botanical knowledge. Stellaria mcclintockiae is classified within the Stellaria media group, enriching our understanding of plant diversity.

Notes:
On April 23, Manipur observed Khongjom Day, commemorating the fallen heroes of the Khongjom Battle in 1891 against the British. The event took place at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex in Thoubal district. High-profile attendees included Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who laid floral wreaths and honored the martyrs with a guard of honor, salute, and two-minute silence. The ceremony highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for Manipur.

Notes:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will join the three-day synchronised Nilgiri Tahr census as a third-party observer. This census, starting April 29, is the first-ever synchronised effort to estimate the Nilgiri Tahr population. Collaborators include WWF-India, WII, and AIWC. Project Nilgiri Tahr, launched by the Tamil Nadu government, spans 2022-2027, aiming to safeguard the species and ensure its survival.

Notes:
Nasscom’s recent release, the Patenting Trends in India report, coincided with World Intellectual Property Day. Celebrated annually on April 26, the day aims to highlight the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in fostering innovation and creativity. Established in 2000 by WIPO, this year’s theme is ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity’. The report revealed India’s significant patenting growth, with 83,000 patents filed in FY2023, a 24.6% increase, marking the highest growth rate in two decades.