Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh plans to create a cheetah habitat in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 2,500 sq. km across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion along the Chambal River. Declared a sanctuary in 1974, it covers 368 sq. km and is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The sanctuary features diverse topography, including hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam, enhancing its ecological richness.

Notes:
The “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore” campaign, part of Good Governance Week, runs from December 19-24, 2024, across all districts, states, and union territories in India. The campaign focuses on addressing public grievances and improving service delivery, bringing governance closer to rural people. More than 700 districts organizes workshops on good governance practices and service delivery. A dedicated portal for the campaign was launched on December 10, 2024.

Notes:
The Surajkund International Craft Fair will take place from February 7–23, 2025, in Faridabad. Around ₹1.50 crore is allocated for repair work to prepare for the event. The fair serves as both an art exhibition and a business hub, connecting craftsmen with art enthusiasts. It highlights India’s rich handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural heritage. The 2025 fair will expand with weather-proof huts to accommodate growing participation, though the number is yet to be finalized. In 2024, 1,150 huts hosted 1,500 indigenous and 250 foreign artisans. BIMSTEC countries are partner nations, with Northeastern states receiving special focus.

Notes:
The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to protect sacred groves, or Orans, as “forests” and conduct district-wise mapping based on their ecological and cultural significance. Orans are traditional sacred groves in Rajasthan managed by rural communities through sacred practices and codes. They are biodiversity-rich spaces often featuring water bodies and are associated with local deities. Communities have conserved Orans for centuries, integrating them into their cultural, social, and agrarian lives. Orans serve as grazing grounds for livestock and venues for communal gatherings, festivals, and rituals, reinforcing environmental conservation efforts.

Notes:
The Minister of State for Home Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme was launched on 15th August 1972 by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It provides pensions to living freedom fighters, their families, and families of martyrs. Eligible individuals include those imprisoned or underground for over six months, interned or externed for six months or more, or those whose property was confiscated during the freedom struggle. Benefits include free lifetime railway passes, PSU hospital treatments, and free transit stays with meals at State Bhawan, New Delhi. Collectors/SDMs are directed to ensure the well-being of freedom fighters and address pension issues.

Notes:
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore became India’s first zero-waste airport with a new 3000 sq ft Material Recovery Facility. The facility uses a waste management system to segregate and recycle waste from the airport and aircraft. Wet waste will be converted into fertilizer, following the 4R principle: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore. Indore Airport’s passenger capacity will increase from 40 lakh to 90 lakh annually within 3 years.

Notes:
Bihar will host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in March 2025 at the indoor hall of the Rajgir Sports Academy. Fourteen countries, including India, China, Japan, South Korea, and others, are expected to participate. Bihar is hosting the event for the second time, after the first edition in 2012 at Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna. The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup is an international competition organized by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).

Notes:
Recent research reveals three geological sites along the Denali Fault were once a single feature, later separated by tectonic activity. The Denali Fault is a significant right-lateral strike-slip fault in western North America, stretching from British Columbia, Canada, to central Alaska, USA. It marks the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, with the Pacific Plate actively subducting under the North American Plate. This subduction causes significant geological stress and deformation. The Denali Fault was the epicenter of a powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 2002, highlighting its seismic activity.

Notes:
India and ADB signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) programme. SMILE aims to implement wide-ranging reforms in India’s logistics sector. The programme adopts a two-phase approach to boost manufacturing and strengthen supply chain resilience. It involves collaboration with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and ADB. The initiative seeks to modernise logistics, promote multimodal infrastructure, and enhance India’s trade and industrial growth.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh has been named one of the “Go-To Global Destinations for 2025” by the Wall Street Journal. The state is celebrated for its rich heritage, wildlife, and natural beauty, solidifying its global status as a top travel destination. It offers diverse experiences with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Tiger Reserves, and vibrant cultural attractions. Specific highlights include Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh, known for their cultural significance, thrilling wildlife, and stunning landscapes.