Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
A new tiger reserve will be established in Uttar Pradesh due to evidence of tiger presence in Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). Located in Shravasti, Balrampur, and Gonda districts, SWS spans 452 sq km along the Indo-Nepal border. Established in 1988, it features a mix of deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlands. SWS hosts diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, and various bird species, and is part of the Bhabar-Tarai ecosystem.

Notes:
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a Rs 100 crore investment to develop the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit during the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebration in Udaipur. Places linked to Maharana Pratap’s life in Mewar, including Udaipur and Chittorgarh, will be developed. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation will enhance connectivity and tourist amenities. Originally part of the Mewar Complex Circuit, this initiative aims to preserve the region’s historical and cultural heritage.

Notes:
Israel’s military has been added by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to a global list of offenders for violations against children in 2023. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are also listed. The decision, termed “shameful” by Israel’s UN envoy Gilad Erdan, was officially communicated on Friday. The violations include killing, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment of children, aid denial, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz warns of consequences for relations with the UN.

Notes:
A rare four-horned antelope, also known as Chousingha, was sighted for the first time in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, previously Nauradehi Sanctuary. The smallest Asian antelope, Tetracerus quadricornis, is endemic to India and Nepal. These antelopes inhabit dry, deciduous forests and hilly terrains with significant grass or undergrowth cover. Distinguished by four horns, only males grow them. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The Haryana Government has launched “Samadhan Prakoshth” within the Chief Secretary’s Office to address public grievances efficiently. This initiative includes ‘Samadhan Shivir’ sessions at district and sub-divisional headquarters daily, aiming to resolve issues promptly. Public grievances are categorized into policy matters and implementation hurdles, handled respectively at the state headquarters and district levels. Key officials convene daily at the Deputy Commissioner’s and SDO (Civil) offices to address these concerns.

Notes:
World Day Against Child Labour is observed annually on 12 June to focus on ending child labour. Initiated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002, the day highlights global efforts to protect children. The 2024 theme, “Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour,” marks the 25th anniversary of the ILO’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention. The ILO headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.

Notes:
SpaceX’s Starship completed its first successful test flight, featuring a gentle splashdown of both booster and spacecraft. Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft, is designed for missions including Mars colonization and lunar landings. Comprising the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft, it boasts a capacity for 100 passengers or large cargo payloads. Fueled by Raptor engines, it utilizes liquid methane and oxygen. With objectives ranging from Mars missions to lunar landings, Starship aims to revolutionize space travel.

Notes:
Researchers have discovered a new great ape species, Buronius manfredschmidi, from approximately 11.6 million years ago during the late Miocene Epoch. This diminutive ape, weighing around 10 kilograms, is the smallest known great ape. The discovery enhances our understanding of ancient ape diversity in Europe and their ecological interactions.

Notes:
The Centre approved renaming Joshimath tehsil in Chamoli to Jyotirmath and Kosiyakutoli tehsil in Nainital to Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham tehsil. This change enhances religious and cultural significance in Uttarakhand. Joshimath faced land subsidence issues in 2023, while Kosiyakutoli is known for Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram. Jyotirmath, an ancient name, is linked to Adi Shankaracharya’s 8th-century establishment of monasteries for Advaita Vedanta.

Notes:
The Indian Army has received Nagastra-1, a unique man-portable suicide drone designed to target launch pads, enemy camps, and infiltrators safely. Under Emergency Procurement Powers, the Army ordered 480 Loiter Munitions from Solar Industries’ Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL). Following successful pre-delivery inspections, 120 units have been delivered to an Army Ammunition Depot, according to defense sources.