Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment report. The four-year-long scientific exercise, coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India, estimates approximately 718 snow leopards in the wild. Ladakh leads with 477, followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (nine). India holds 10-15% of the global snow leopard population.

Notes:
India has included five additional wetlands in the Ramsar Convention’s global list of significant wetlands, bringing the nation’s total to 80. Announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the newly added wetlands include Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, and Aghanashini Estuary from Karnataka, along with Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest from Tamil Nadu. This designation underscores India’s commitment to preserving vital waterlogged ecosystems.

Notes:
The Economics of the Food System Transformation report is a global policy report from the Food System Economics Commission (FSEC). The report estimates that transforming the global food system could create economic benefits of 5–10 trillion USD per year. The report also states that the policies and implementation to achieve these transformations would cost only 0.2–0.4% of global GDP. The report discusses the unsustainable trajectory of the global food system and the potential economic benefits of a transformation. It also states that transforming food systems worldwide could help address global climate, nature, and health emergencies.

Notes:
The 12th India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting was held in Muscat. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi. During the meeting, India and Oman signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in new areas of defense engagement, including the procurement of military equipment. The meeting also covered joint exercises, information sharing, oceanography, shipbuilding, and MRO.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development announced the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSCs) in over 700 districts nationwide, under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The initiative aims to offer comprehensive support for women facing violence, providing immediate access to medical, legal, psychological, and counseling services. The target group includes all women, including girls under 18, without discrimination. The funding comes from the Nirbhaya Fund, with 100% financial assistance from the Central Government. District Collectors/Magistrates oversee day-to-day implementation.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has designated 80,114.80 hectares of Bargur Hills in Erode district as the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This area connects the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, forming a vital corridor for the tiger population. The region is rich in biodiversity, serving as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. It is identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, part of the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve, and crucial for water sources and cultural significance to local communities.

Notes:
Recently, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launched the C-CARES web portal for the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO). Developed by C-DAC, it aims to digitize records and streamline processes for 3.3 lakh Provident Fund subscribers and 6.1 lakh pensioners in the coal sector. The portal enables online settlement of claims, ensuring transparency, faster processing, and better record management. Aligned with the vision of Digital India, it signifies a significant leap towards efficient and transparent operations in the coal sector.

Notes:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed the swift implementation of the U-WIN platform in the Union interim Budget 2024-2025 to streamline immunization management nationwide. The U-WIN portal is integral to digitizing India’s Universal Immunization Programme, currently undergoing pilot testing in two districts of every state and union territory, marking a significant step toward enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

Notes:
Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania is the Chief Hydrographer of the Indian government. Pathania is a Hydrography Specialist who has a naval career spanning over four decades. He joined the Indian Navy in 1990 in the Executive branch. He has commanded the ships Darshak and Sandhayak, and has carried out hydrographic surveys across India and the Indian Ocean Region.

Notes:
The Kamakhya Divyalok Pariyojana, a Rs 498 crore project by the central government, aims to transform the Kamakhya Temple pilgrimage experience in Guwahati, Assam. Enhancements include infrastructure upgrades, improved connectivity, temple beautification, and facilities for devotees. The initiative is expected to boost tourism in the Northeast, drawing a large number of devotees to the revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. The temple, with Tantric significance, is atop Nilachal Hill and hosts the annual Ambubachi Mela.