Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The recent All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022 census reported that Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh saw its tiger population double from 5 to 10. Located in Bilaspur district, this reserve, established in 1975 and declared a tiger reserve in 2009, spans 553.286 sq. km. It connects Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves and supports diverse wildlife and tribal communities.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched ‘Suvidha Software Version 1.0’ at its first ‘Annual Operational Sea Training Conference’ in Visakhapatnam. This software aims to improve training protocols across ICG platforms. Deputy Director General Anupam Rai emphasized excellence and adaptability. Senior officers discussed best practices and strategies for maritime security, highlighting ICG’s dedication to innovation and operational training excellence.

Notes:
Former Indian cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad passed away at 71 after a long battle with cancer. He played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India and had a 22-year first-class career. After retiring, he served as the Indian team’s coach. Gaekwad was part of memorable moments in cricket, including the 1998 Sharjah tournament and Anil Kumble’s historic 10-wicket haul in 1999.

Notes:
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched the Women Entrepreneurship Programme to empower 25 lakh women in India. The program, in two phases, offers free online entrepreneurship courses through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), supported by NIESBUD. In the second phase, NSDC will provide incubation support to 10,000 selected contestants across 100 business models.

Notes:
Kerala Police asked people to avoid dark tourism in Wayanad as it could disrupt rescue efforts. Dark tourism, also known as black tourism or grief tourism, involves visiting places associated with death, suffering, or tragedy, such as cemeteries, disaster zones, and battlefields. Defined by John Lennon and Malcolm Foley, it represents inhuman acts for visitors. Notable sites include Auschwitz, Chernobyl, Ground Zero, and Hiroshima. Dark tourism is controversial, with mixed views on its ethics.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs launched Version 4.0 of the Price Monitoring System (PMS) Mobile app, developed to enhance price data quality for 38 essential commodities, up from 22. The app, initially launched in 2021, receives daily retail and wholesale prices from 550 centers. This data aids government and analysts in policy decisions regarding CPI inflation, covering items like rice, wheat, oils, milk, and newly added produce like brinjal and banana.

Notes:
A Bangladesh-registered C-130J Hercules jet became the most tracked flight on Flightradar24.com amid rumors of the Bangladesh Prime Minister leaving the country. The C-130J Super Hercules, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a four-engine military transport aircraft used for tactical missions. It has a 19-ton payload capacity, can operate from rough runways, and is primarily used by the US and other nations for airdropping troops and equipment.

Notes:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has updated its “Integrated Fire Management Voluntary Guidelines” to address modern climate challenges. The new guidelines emphasize combining scientific and traditional knowledge, including gender inclusion, to improve fire management and wildfire prevention. This update, building on guidelines from nearly 20 years ago, aims for global adoption and supports the Global Fire Management Hub established in May 2023 to enhance international fire management efforts.

Notes:
The Western Ghats, crucial for biodiversity, still lack official ecologically sensitive area notifications from the Union environment ministry, 14 years after the 2011 Gadgil Committee Report. The 2011 Gadgil Committee Report, or Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) Report, was commissioned by India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests. It recommends measures for the sustainable development and ecological preservation of the Western Ghats, a region noted for its rich biodiversity and environmental importance.

Notes:
The Mizoram governor highlighted wildlife conservation challenges on International Clouded Leopard Day. The clouded leopard, found from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, includes two species: Neofelis nebulosa and Neofelis diardi. Its habitat spans countries like China, Bhutan, India, and others, thriving in tropical rainforests and dry forests. This medium-sized cat, 60-110 cm long, weighs 11-20 kg, and is known for its cloud-like coat patterns and long tail. Both the species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List. It is the state animal of Meghalaya.