Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Vadhavan greenfield port near Dahanu, Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade upon completion. It is an all-weather deep draft major port located in Palghar district, Maharashtra. It is developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL). VPPL is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74% share) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%). The project cost is ₹76,220 crore, with completion targeted by 2034. It will feature nine container terminals, multipurpose, liquid cargo, Ro-Ro, and Coast Guard berths.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested a response from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) regarding the deteriorating condition of Varkala cliff, a national geo-heritage site. It is located in Varkala, Kerala. The cliff stretches 3 km and exposes sedimentary rocks from the Mio-Pliocene Age (13 lakh to 2.5 crore years ago). Varkala is the only place on India’s west coast where these ancient sediments are visible. The cliff towers up to 80 meters and is home to the Papanasam Beach, known for its therapeutic springs. It supports local biodiversity and is essential for coastal aquifers and fishing communities.

Notes:
National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 in India. It commemorates the lives lost in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and raises awareness about pollution. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on December 2, 1984, due to a methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The incident killed around 2,259 people immediately, with fatalities rising to 25,000 over time, as per government reports. Around 500,000 people suffered severe health issues, including respiratory and reproductive problems, blindness, and nervous system diseases.

Notes:
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s vice president, has been elected as the country’s first female president, securing 57% of the votes. She defeated Panduleni Itula of IPC, who received 26%, and SWAPO continues its 34-year dominance. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory ensures SWAPO retains power since Namibia’s independence in 1990. She has held key roles, including foreign minister, and is seen as a unifying figure. SWAPO also won 51 out of 96 National Assembly seats. Namibia faces challenges like high unemployment and inequality, despite political stability.

Notes:
World Wildlife Conservation Day is observed on December 4 to raise awareness about protecting endangered flora and fauna. The day emphasizes the importance of wildlife conservation and encourages action to safeguard endangered species. India hosts four global biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland. With only 2.4% of the world’s land area, India supports 7-8% of recorded species, making it a megadiverse country.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways introduced the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, to boost coastal trade and prioritize Indian-flagged vessels for national security and commercial needs. Coastal shipping, covering India’s 7,517 km coastline, is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reduces pressure on road and rail networks. Outdated laws like the Coasting Vessel Act, 1838, and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, lacked uniformity in regulating the sector. Key changes include removing the general trading license for Indian vessels, creating a National Coastal Shipping Database, and mandating a strategic growth plan. The Bill ensures compliance with environmental standards, encourages inland vessel participation, and emphasizes job creation and national security.

Notes:
A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

Notes:
The Inland Waterways Authority of India’s Kalughat Intermodal Terminal in Bihar received a five-star SVAGRIHA rating. SVAGRIHA stands for Simple Versatile Affordable GRIHA. SVAGRIHA promotes green buildings and sustainability through the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) system for small buildings. The rating applies to projects under 2500 sq.m. with 14 criteria across five categories: architecture & energy, water & waste, materials, landscape, and lifestyle. The terminal achieved this rating by using recyclable materials like fibre, recyclable glass, and eco-friendly fixtures. This project is part of the IWAI’s efforts to enhance National Waterway 1 on the River Ganga.

Notes:
The third Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite was launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The Copernicus Programme is an Earth Observation initiative managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU). It integrates data from satellites, ground stations, airborne, and sea-borne sensors to provide near-real-time information services. The programme offers free and open access to data for various applications. The Sentinel satellites are tailored to meet the needs of Copernicus services in areas like atmosphere, marine, land, climate, emergency response, and security. Copernicus aims to deploy nearly 20 satellites by 2030, funded and managed by the European Commission.

Notes:
Tata Power has started building the ₹6,900 crore Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan, aiming for completion by September 2029. Located on the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse, Bhutan, the 600 MW project supports Bhutan’s electricity needs and India’s renewable energy goals. It is the first joint energy project between India and Bhutan, executed by Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited (KHPL), a partnership of Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Tata Power.