Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
A female elephant recently died of suspected anthrax at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Anthrax is caused by Bacteria ‘Bacillus anthracis’, a spore-forming bacterium found in soil. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals through contaminated soil, plants, or water. Humans can contract anthrax by contact with infected animals or their products, contaminated food or water, or spores entering the skin. Anthrax is not contagious between people and occurs in three forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational. The bacteria’s spores can survive in soil for years, posing long-term risks to animals and humans.

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as a tiger reserve. The park is located in the northern Central Highlands, part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills, with plateaus and valleys. It includes two lakes, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, supporting aquatic biodiversity and terrestrial species. The park’s drainage flows north and northeast, forming the catchment for the Amarnadi and Sind rivers. The eastern part has Vindhyan system sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale, and limestone.

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The Red-Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) was recently spotted at Ameenpur Lake in Hyderabad. It is a small bird (11-12 cm) from the Old World Flycatcher family. Males have a reddish-orange throat, while females are brown. The bird has a unique toe arrangement, aiding in clinging to branches. It migrates from Eastern Europe to South Asia to escape harsh winters. Breeds in Eastern Europe and Central Asia during spring and summer, migrating to India from October to March. It is listed as Least Concern by IUCN.

Notes:
The mass die-off of nearly 400 elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in 2020 was linked to climate change-induced toxic algal blooms. Researchers found that elephants drank from contaminated waterholes where cyanobacteria thrived due to a shift from a very dry year to an extremely wet one. This environmental change led to the proliferation of harmful toxins in stagnant water, resulting in the deaths of elephants across the region. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring water quality to prevent similar ecological disasters. Okavango Delta is located in Botswana. It is both UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland.

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The Indian government has decided to revise the base year for GDP calculation from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This change, announced by Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, aims to reflect structural economic changes and ensure accurate economic data. The advisory committee, ACNAS, comprising members from the Reserve Bank of India, state governments, and academia, will assist in this revision, expected to be completed by early 2026. Regular updates align with international practices for economic data collection.

Notes:
The PENCiL portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has five components: Central Government, State Government, District Project Societies, Child Tracking System, and Complaint Corner. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) are appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. A model State Action Plan (SAP) guides State Governments in eradicating child labour, focusing on migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. The portal promotes efficient monitoring and grievance redressal to combat child labour effectively.

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An Ajmer court has admitted a petition to survey the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, leading to calls for a similar probe into the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. It is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is one of India’s oldest mosques and the second oldest in North India, after Delhi’s Quwwat ul Islam mosque. The Deputy Mayor claims it was initially a Sanskrit college and Jain temple before being converted into a mosque in the 12th century. Commissioned by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1199 CE, it was later enhanced by Iltutmish in 1213 CE. The structure showcases early Indo-Islamic architecture.

Notes:
Oxford University Press named ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. It describes cognitive decline caused by consuming trivial social media content. The term gained popularity amid trends like digital detoxes to counter mental fatigue. It reflects concerns about technology’s impact on human thought and habits. Public voting chose ‘brain rot’ over contenders like ‘heat domes’ and ‘neurospicy.’ Over 37,000 people participated in the voting, highlighting its cultural relevance. The term’s casual tone appeals to younger audiences and raises awareness about mental health. Past winners include ‘goblin mode’ (2022) and ‘climate emergency’ (2019).

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The 16th GRIHA Summit held in New Delhi, focusing on the theme “Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment.” It brings together leaders and experts to discuss sustainable urban development and climate resilience in construction. The summit highlights the importance of sustainability in the built environment for global climate commitments by 2030 and decarbonization by 2050. It aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, integrating sustainability with economic and social progress.GRIHA stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment.

Notes:
Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed on December 6 to honor Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his death anniversary. This year marks the 68th death anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. The day is observed at Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, where followers gather to pay tribute. Dr. Ambedkar is known for his role in promoting social justice, equality, and drafting the Indian Constitution. “Mahaparinirvan” refers to the Buddhist concept of ultimate liberation from suffering and death. Dr. Ambedkar’s death anniversary is significant as he converted to Buddhism in 1956 with many followers.