Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has introduced a policy that offers a 100% waiver on the registration fee for strong hybrid vehicles. This initiative encourages the adoption of hybrid technology while alleviating the financial burden on buyers. Manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars stand to benefit from this policy. Customers could save up to ₹3.5 lakh on their vehicle purchases, further promoting eco-friendly transportation options.

Notes:
The world’s largest Ramayan temple is being built in East Champaran, Bihar. It will be three times larger than the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and taller than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The temple features a 33-foot tall shivling, made of black granite from Mahabalipuram, and includes 22 smaller temples dedicated to key deities from the Ramayana. The main shikhar rises to 270 feet, with architectural inspiration drawn from notable temples in India and Cambodia.

Notes:
India recently hosted the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi amidst significant developments in Myanmar. BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organization established in 1997 to promote shared growth among countries in the Bay of Bengal region. Initially founded as BIST-EC, it evolved into BIMSTEC with the inclusion of Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan by 2004.

Notes:
The United States and its allies will deliver five additional air defense systems, including Patriot missile batteries, to Ukraine. The Patriot (MIM-104) is an all-weather, surface-to-air missile defense system against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. It’s the U.S. Army’s most advanced air defense system, operated by multiple countries. The mobile system includes radar, a control station, and launch stations, with a range of over 150 km and high-altitude interception capabilities.

Notes:
NABARD recently announced the Agri-SURE fund to support start-ups and rural enterprises in agriculture. The ₹750 crore fund, with contributions from NABARD, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other institutions, will back 85 agri start-ups with investments up to ₹25 crore each. Agri-SURE focuses on innovation, technology, enhancing the value chain, creating rural linkages, generating employment, and supporting Farmers Producer Organisations. NABVENTURES will manage the fund.

Notes:
A recent study reveals a lack of awareness regarding vulture conservation in the key habitats of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Tamil Nadu. Established in 2013, STR connects with Mudumalai and Bandipur Tiger Reserves and features diverse forests. It is home to notable wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and sloth bears. Key concerns for the reserve include sandalwood smuggling and poaching, which threaten its ecological balance and conservation efforts.

Notes:
Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur is to receive a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Gujarat, through an animal exchange initiative. The Rs 3.45 crore lion safari project aims to enhance the park’s appeal. Covering 26 hectares, it will accommodate up to eight lions. In return, Sajjangarh will provide Sakkarbaug Zoo with various animals. The Central Zoo Authority approved the transfer to boost Udaipur tourism, with plans to expand the park’s facilities.

Notes:
Union Home Minister reviewed the implementation of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), approved in 2023 for the development of villages along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh. This centrally sponsored scheme, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, focuses on skill development, livelihood generation, tourism, and financial inclusion. The program aims to enhance border security through increased community participation in border management.

Notes:
The Bihar government has recently demanded a Minimum Support Price for makhana, the popped kernel of the foxnut. Makhana is cultivated in tropical and subtropical aquatic environments, thriving in stagnant water bodies. India is the largest global producer, with Bihar as the leading state. Optimal conditions include temperatures of 20-35°C and annual rainfall of 100-250 cm. Nutritionally, makhana is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein (15-20%), and minerals.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand Forest Department has inaugurated its first-ever bird gallery in Dehradun, enhancing wildlife education and conservation efforts. This initiative highlights the state’s commitment to preserving avian diversity, showcasing over 710 bird species, including the Himalayan Monal and Himalayan Griffon. The gallery features ten themed areas, each focusing on different bird types, and includes rich imagery, detailed information, and bird calls, creating an immersive experience that emphasizes the ecological importance of birds.