Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh government declared Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj as a new district on December 1, 2024. This decision, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aims to streamline management for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The district, named Maha Kumbh Mela, ensures smooth administration for the grand religious event from January 13 to February 26, 2025. The district’s boundaries cover revenue villages and the parade area. The Mela Adhikari will have powers of Executive Magistrate, District Magistrate, and Additional District Magistrate. This move is to ensure smooth operations for the grand religious event, promoting Indian culture.

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:
UNESCO has recognized West Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted the state’s progress in religious, heritage, and tea tourism. This recognition has boosted tourism and created thousands of jobs for youth. West Bengal is focusing on enhancing iconic religious sites and heritage spots. The state’s efforts are elevating its tourism sector, making it a key player in India’s tourism industry.

Notes:
The 20th Asian Women’s Handball Championship held from 3 to 10 December 2024, in New Delhi, India. This is the first time the Handball Association India (HAI) is hosting the event. Initially planned for Almaty, Kazakhstan, the championship was moved to New Delhi. It serves as a qualifier for the 27th IHF Women’s Handball World Championship in 2025 in Germany and the Netherlands.

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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.

Notes:
The 63rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) held at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru, from December 5–7, 2024. Established in 1952, ISAM is India’s only registered society dedicated to aerospace medicine. The conference theme is “Collaborate for Research,” focusing on interdisciplinary cooperation in aviation and space medicine. The event features more than 300 attendees, including experts from DRDO, ISRO, and aerospace medicine professionals.

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The Supreme Court will hear a petition in January on reducing the permissible water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam. Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River in Thekkady, Idukki district, Kerala. Built between 1887 and 1895 by the British Corps of Royal Engineers led by Pennycuick, it is 155 ft high and 1200 ft long. Made with limestone and “Surkhi,” it stands 881 m above sea level in the Western Ghats’ Cardamom Hills. The dam diverts water from Periyar River to Tamil Nadu’s Vaigai River basin, irrigating 685,000 hectares in five districts. It also created an artificial lake central to Periyar National Park. While located in Kerala, Tamil Nadu operates the dam under a 999-year British-era lease agreement.

Notes:
1,500 members of the Angami Naga tribe recently participated in a cultural ceremony at Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival. The Angami Naga tribe, residing mainly in Kohima, Nagaland, migrated from Myanmar and is recognized in Manipur. They belong to the Mongoloid race and speak Tenyidie, with Nagamese as a common spoken language. Known for terrace wet cultivation, shifting cultivation, and animal husbandry, they also excel in cane and bamboo basketry. Their society is patriarchal and patrilineal, with most members practicing Christianity. The tribe celebrates the Sekrenyi festival.

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The Bihar government hosted a two-day ‘Makhana Mahotsav’ in Bengaluru to expand the market for Bihar’s makhana and other food products in Karnataka. The event aims to establish Bihar as a leader in makhana production and promote its cultural and economic significance. Bihar produces 50% of India’s makhana, with Bengaluru acting as a gateway to South Indian markets. A dedicated research center for improving makhana production has been established, and its GI tag has boosted international recognition. Makhana production has created significant employment, with the market reaching Rs 150 crore in 2023-2024.

Notes:
Gorakhpur will establish India’s first Integrated Waste Management City-cum-Learning Centre by September 2025. The 40-acre project in Suthni village aims to make the city garbage-free and promote sustainable waste management through a circular economy model. The centre will process various waste types, generating charcoal and Bio-CNG. The initiative will create jobs, boost revenue, and serve as a learning hub for technical expertise. It has been presented in Vishakhapatnam and Delhi and will be showcased at the National Chief Secretaries’ Conference in December 2024.