Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
Researchers in Bhuj assessed areas of Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, focusing on ecological value. Banni is in Gujarat’s Kachchh district and is home to 22 ethnic groups, mainly pastoralists. It has rich biodiversity with 37 grass species, 275 bird species, and domesticated animals like buffalo, sheep, and camel. The Banni Grasslands include the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Chhari Dhand Conservation Reserve.

Notes:
Scientists have raised concerns about potential issues in research papers on the honeybee waggle dance. Honeybees use two types of dances to communicate: the waggle dance and the circle dance. These dances help bees share information about the location of flower patches rich in nectar or pollen. In the waggle dance, bees move in a figure-eight pattern, indicating both distance and direction to the flower patch. In the circle dance, bees move in a circular pattern, indicating only the distance to the hive.

Notes:
KVIC and the Department of Posts are collaborating to enhance the implementation of PMEGP across India. PMEGP is a central scheme under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. It aims to create employment in rural and urban areas by supporting new self-employment ventures. The scheme helps traditional artisans and unemployed youth to find work locally, reducing rural-to-urban migration. It also aims to increase the wage-earning capacity of workers and boost employment growth in rural and urban areas.

Notes:
Mettukurinji, or Topli karvy, is a plant endemic to the Western Ghats and belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It flowers every seven years, similar to Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years. India has the highest diversity of Strobilanthes, with over 160 species, 72 of which are endemic to the Sahyadris. Mettukurinji’s flowers, in shades of purple, lavender, and blue, are a tourist attraction. The plant faces threats from monocarpy, landslides, floods, and visitor disturbance, leading to its decline. Neelakurinji is listed as a ‘threatened’ species by the IUCN.

Notes:
A new plant species, Gongronema sasidharanii, was discovered in Pampadum Shola National Park, Kerala. This plant has smooth stems and small, urn-shaped flowers that are creamy white to purplish-green. It’s the first time the Gongronema genus has been found in South India. Previously, Gongronema species in India were only found in the northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and West Bengal. Pampadum Shola National Park is in the Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, covering about 12 sq km. The park has hilly terrain, altitudes from 1600 to 2400 m, and a misty climate with heavy monsoon rain.

Notes:
The Tribal Health Resource Centre in BR Hills, Karnataka, launched Kaanu, a South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, on August 25. “Kaanu” means “evergreen forest” in Kannada and Soliga. Kaanu aims to be the first knowledge center dedicated to the past, present, and culture of South Indian Adivasi communities. It will have three branches: a library, an annotated bibliography, and a co-written book. The Kaanu Library will be inaugurated, and the bibliography will be available online in September. This initiative was started by Adivasi leaders, scholars, and researchers with long-term connections to these communities.

Notes:
A bus carrying Indian tourists recently fell 150 meters into the Marsyangdi River in Nepal, killing at least 14 people and injuring 16 others. The Marsyangdi River is a 150 km long mountain river in Nepal. It is a major tributary of the Gandaki River, which joins the Ganga River in India. The river originates from the northern slopes of the Annapurna massif. It flows through rugged Himalayan landscapes, known for its fast currents and deep gorges. The river is popular for white water rafting and kayaking. It supports hydropower projects and is known for snow trout.

Notes:
Genrobotic Innovations has launched the Bandicoot Mini, a more compact and affordable version of the Bandicoot robot. The Bandicoot robot is designed for manhole cleaning and performs tasks typically done manually inside the manhole. It can be operated via a control panel outside the manhole. The robot features a specialized arm for unblocking sewer lines. Its purpose is to help eliminate manual scavenging.

Notes:
Hampi, in Central Karnataka, India, needs a balance between preserving its ancient ruins and supporting local communities. Located on the Tungabhadra River, it was the Vijayanagara Empire’s capital from the 14th to 16th century.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1986. Its architecture mixes Chola, Hoysala, Pandya, Chalukya, and Indo-Islamic styles. Temples are known for their large size, detailed carvings, and depictions from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Notes:
Odisha CM Mohan Majhi launched the Subhadra scheme, promising ₹50,000 to one crore women aged 21 to 60. The scheme has a total budget of ₹55,825 crore and will run from 2024-25 to 2028-29. Funds will be disbursed in five annual installments of ₹10,000, with two payments of ₹5,000 each. Payments will be made directly to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. A Subhadra debit card will be issued, and incentives of ₹500 will be given to top digital transaction users in each gram panchayat and urban local body.