Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
A Union Minister highlighted the potential of combining India’s ancient wisdom with modern science at the SHRI Programme’s 5th anniversary. The SHRI Programme brings together experts from various fields to capture data, form collaborations, and offer technology solutions for cultural heritage issues. Key initiatives include non-invasive preservation techniques, digitalizing the Ajanta caves, and artifact restoration. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Science & Technology to promote cultural heritage preservation through innovative technologies.

Notes:
International Migrants Day is observed on December 18 each year to promote fair migration policies and advocate for migrants’ rights. The 2024 theme is “Honouring the contributions of migrants and respecting their rights,” highlighting both the exploitation of migrants and their positive societal contributions. The day also emphasizes the importance of inclusive migration policies that uphold human dignity. Established by the UN in 2000, it marks the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers’ Rights, aiming to protect migrants regardless of status or location.

Notes:
The Gadhimai Mahotsav, held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, Nepal, is known for the world’s largest animal sacrifice. More than two crore people attended the festival this year, despite decades of criticism from animal activists. The festival features the largest animal sacrifice, with devotees sacrificing buffaloes, goats, cocks, and ducks during Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. Devotees also release doves in the temple when their wishes are believed to be fulfilled. The festival takes place at the Gadhimai Temple in Bara district, near the Indo-Nepal border.

Notes:
India ranks 39th in the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) by the World Economic Forum, improving from its 54th rank in 2021, later revised to 38th due to methodology changes. The Ministry of Tourism provides financial aid under schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies for developing tourism infrastructure. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Advantage Healthcare India portal (www.healinindia.gov.in) to assist international patients seeking medical treatment in India. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, shared this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Notes:
The Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023’ (ISFR 2023) at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. The report, published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, assesses forest and tree resources using satellite data and National Forest Inventory (NFI). India’s forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 sq km (25.17% of the country’s area), with forest cover at 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover at 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%). There is an increase in forest and tree cover, with states like Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha showing significant growth. Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the largest forest and tree covers. Lakshadweep has the highest forest cover percentage (91.33%). 19 states/UTs have over 33% forest cover, with eight exceeding 75%. Mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, and bamboo-bearing areas have increased. India’s carbon stock reached 30.43 billion tonnes, surpassing its 2030 carbon sink target.

Notes:
A mysterious illness called “Dinga Dinga” has emerged in Uganda, predominantly affecting women and girls. The name means “shaking like dancing,” reflecting the violent, involuntary body movements it causes. Symptoms include uncontrollable shaking, high fever, extreme weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis-like immobility. The illness impairs mobility, making basic movements like walking impossible for some patients. The cause of Dinga Dinga remains unknown, as health experts have not identified its source. Treatment currently involves antibiotics, though the illness’s origin and effective remedies are still unclear.

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.

Notes:
A study highlights the growing threat to non-human primates like the lion-tailed macaque due to increased human-wildlife interactions. The lion-tailed macaque, an Old-World monkey, is arboreal, diurnal, and sleeps high in rainforest canopies. It is territorial, with males defining home boundaries through calls, and communicates using 17 vocalizations. It is endemic to the Western Ghats. They are found in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

Notes:
The Tanot Mata Temple, situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is not only a religious site but also a cultural symbol. Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced plans to modernize the temple, aiming to enhance its appeal as a world-class tourist destination. The initiative includes improving facilities for pilgrims and creating economic opportunities for the local community. The temple is expected to attract tourists while instilling a sense of pride and patriotism among visitors.

Notes:
A recent study in Science Advances refined the timing and duration of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a) by analyzing rocks and fossils from Mount Ashibetsu, Japan. OAE 1a occurred during the Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago), when Earth’s oceans became oxygen-depleted. It was triggered by massive volcanic eruptions releasing CO₂, causing global warming and oxygen depletion in oceans. This led to anoxic marine basins, extinction of marine species, particularly plankton, and the formation of black shales, rich in organic carbon.