Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The Ele-fence project, India’s first AI-based smart fence, is being deployed in Wayanad, Kerala, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, primarily involving elephants. Implemented by White Elephant Technologies and the Kerala Forest Department, it aims to prevent crop loss and casualties caused by elephants encroaching on human habitats. Human-wildlife conflicts escalate as human populations grow and encroach into animal habitats, affecting biodiversity and local economies. The Ele-fence seeks to protect both wildlife and human livelihoods in affected areas.

Notes:
Indian botanists discovered two new plant species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Dendrophthoe longensis, an aerial stem-parasitic plant, was found on mango trees in the evergreen forests of the Andamans. Petrocosmea arunachalense, a small, white, and hairy herb with purple blotches, was discovered in a cave in Arunachal Pradesh. It is only the second known Petrocosmea species in India.

Notes:
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase in the annual income limit for the creamy layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC) from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh. The reservation quota for OBCs in Group-A and Group-B positions will rise from 15% to 27%, aligning with Central government policy. This aims to enhance the welfare of the OBC community and benefit the youth in government jobs.

Notes:
A fire at Pariej lake in Gujarat’s Kheda district caused the tragic death of a juvenile mugger crocodile and numerous turtles, both protected species under India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The incident occurred during desilting and dredging activities, highlighting the need for better wildlife protection measures and inter-departmental coordination in development projects affecting sensitive habitats like Pariej lake, which is a crucial wetland and the largest waterbody in Kheda.

Notes:
Indian wrestlers secured 11 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024 in Amman, Jordan, held from June 22-24. They competed in men’s and women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman categories across 10 weight divisions per format. The event precedes the ongoing U-23 championship. The 2023 championship took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Notes:
Experts report a steady decline in the flamingo population at Lake Natron due to extreme weather and encroachment. Located on the Tanzania-Kenya border, this salt lake is part of the Great Rift Valley and a Ramsar site. Its unique warm, alkaline waters, fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, create ideal conditions for flamingos. However, agriculture, pollution, and climate change threaten this ecosystem, known for its striking red color.

Notes:
David Warner’s 15-year international cricket career ended quietly as Australia’s exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Warner had announced this World Cup as his last, marking his final stages in international cricket. He played his last ODI in 2023, his final Test in early 2024, and concluded his career after the T20 World Cup, despite hinting at a possible return for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Notes:
India secured a total of 29 medals at the 2024 BRICS Games in Kazan, Russia, comprising 3 gold, 6 silver, and 20 bronze medals. The Indian team excelled across diverse sports disciplines, demonstrating noteworthy accomplishments in this international multi-sport event, highlighting their successful performance.

Notes:
Since 2017, June 27 has been observed as Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day, recognizing the sector’s role in economic development and employment. MSMEs account for 90% of businesses, 60-70% of employment, and 50% of GDP globally. The United Nations General Assembly established MSME Day on April 6, 2017. The 2024 theme is “MSMEs and the SDG,” focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Notes:
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is establishing a bioplastic park in Kumbhi village, Gola Gokarnnath tehsil, Lakhimpur Kheri district, to combat plastic pollution. Covering 1000 hectares and costing Rs 2000 crore, the project will be developed by Balrampur Chini Mill, with UPEIDA as the nodal agency. Bioplastics, made from renewable sources, decompose quickly, offering an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.