Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The Centre’s PARIVESH portal, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has crossed 50,000 clearances. PARIVESH, which stands for Pro Active and Responsive Facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single-window Hub, is a single-window portal for obtaining and monitoring Environment, Forest, Wildlife, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances across the nation.

Notes:
The Government of Nagaland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SBI General Insurance to implement the Disaster Risk Transfer Parametric Insurance Solution (DRTPS), making Nagaland the first state in India to adopt such a measure. The DRTPS aims to safeguard critical infrastructure and mitigate economic losses from floods, droughts, and mudslides. The government will cover the insurance premium for three years, addressing the rising risks from climate change-related extreme weather events.

Notes:
ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) is set to launch on August 15 by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission aims to design and develop a microsatellite, create compatible payload instruments, and integrate new technologies for future operational satellites. EOS-8 represents a significant step in advancing satellite capabilities and enhancing Earth observation efforts.

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh government has announced the creation of a new tiger reserve named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve. It is located in northern Chhattisgarh near Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. It will be the state’s fourth tiger reserve after Indravati (in Bijapur district), Udanti-Sitanadi (Gariaband) and Achanakmar (Mungeli). The reserve combines areas from Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary. It hosts various animals like tigers, leopards, and bears, and is a source for major rivers including Hasdeo Gopad and Baranga.

Notes:
The WHO has issued a warning about the superbug hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp). hvKp is a drug-resistant bacteria that can cause severe, fast-spreading infections even in healthy people. It is found in the environment, like soil and water, as well as in the upper throat and gut of animals and humans. It can lead to infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.

Notes:
The International Day of Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on August 9 since 1995. It aims to raise awareness about the contributions and rights of indigenous, or tribal, peoples, who are among the most vulnerable globally. The UN General Assembly declared this day in 1994 to mark the first meeting of the Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982. The theme for 2024 is “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,” highlighting the need to safeguard these communities.

Notes:
A state of emergency was declared in Kursk, Russia, after a Ukrainian incursion. Kursk is a city in southwestern Russia, near the Ukrainian border, located along the Seym River, 450 km south of Moscow. It’s known for its fertile soil and moderately continental climate. Kursk is one of Russia’s oldest cities, first mentioned in 1032, and was rebuilt in 1586 as a military outpost. It was the site of the largest tank battle in WWII, the Battle of Kursk, in 1943. Today, Kursk is known for its industries, including machine building, food processing, and a nuclear power station.

Notes:
Researchers found that ocean temperatures at the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are the highest in 407 years, threatening the coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, located on the northeast coast of Australia. It has the largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 coral types, 1,500 fish species, and 4,000 mollusc types. The reef is also home to the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle.

Notes:
The Cabinet approved an amendment in the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana to provide financial support for Advanced Biofuel Projects. The scheme promotes the production of 2nd-generation (2G) bioethanol from renewable sources like lignocellulosic biomass. Launched in 2019, it was recently extended until 2028-29. It is implemented by the Centre for High Technology under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The objective of scheme is to establishing commercially viable 2G ethanol projects, providing farmers income from agricultural waste, and addressing environmental pollution. Financial support is provided through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

Notes:
The 19th crest gate of the 71-year-old Tungabhadra Dam collapsed, causing a flood alert in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Tungabhadra Dam, also known as Pampa Sagar, is a multipurpose dam on the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River. It is located in the Ballari district of Karnataka, near the town of Hospet. It was initially a joint project of the Hyderabad state and Madras Presidency, later becoming a joint project of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh after its completion in 1953. The dam has a storage capacity of 101 TMC, with a catchment area of 28,000 sq. km, standing 49.5 meters high with 33 crest gates. It is one of two reservoirs in India built using mud and limestone, along with the Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala.