Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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:
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:
ISRO achieved the third successful landing of its Pushpak reusable launch vehicle (RLV LEX-03), testing it under challenging conditions. The vehicle reused components from previous flights and employed advanced sensors for precise landing. Designed to reduce launch costs significantly, it aims to retrieve and land like an airplane after deploying satellites into space. The demonstration validated critical technologies, including advanced error correction algorithms, crucial for its future operational success and cost-effectiveness in space missions.

Notes:
Union Health Minister and Family Welfare JP Nadda launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024, aiming for zero child deaths from diarrhoea. The two-month drive involves distributing ORS packets and zinc to children under five. Initiatives like the National Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have reduced childhood diarrhoea deaths. Emphasis is on sensitizing health workers and enhancing diarrhoea management. Officials are urged to focus on cleanliness and prevention targets.

Notes:
India and the US are discussing co-producing American Javelin missiles in India for its military needs. The Javelin is a man-portable antitank guided missile (ATGM) developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles and other targets like bunkers and helicopters, it features a 2,500-meter range, “fire-and-forget” infrared guidance, and a high-explosive antitank warhead. It can be shoulder-fired or vehicle-mounted.

Notes:
A new plant species, Didymocarpus janakiae, was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district at 2,300 meters elevation. Named in honor of pioneering Indian botanist E. K. Janaki Ammal, this species belongs to the Didymocarpus genus, part of the African Violet family (Gesneriaceae). Found in pristine habitats, it highlights ecosystem quality. The genus comprises 111 species, 27 of which are in India, including D. janakiae.

Notes:
Local residents in Dehradun rallied to save 2,000 Sal trees in Khalanga Reserve Forest, prompting the state government to relocate a planned drinking water plant due to public outcry. Environmental activists and locals protested against the felling of trees for the Song Dam drinking water project. Social media campaigns and symbolic acts like tying Raksha-Sutras to trees were employed. The project aims to supply drinking water to 60 wards in Dehradun, costing an estimated Rs. 3,000 crores.

Notes:
India’s largest leopard safari has opened at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka. Covering 20 hectares, the safari houses eight leopards, with plans to increase this number. The area is secured with railway barricades and enclosed with 4.5-meter-tall chain-link mesh and mild steel sheets to ensure the leopards remain within the boundaries.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed to acquire 10 TAPAS drones, officially known as Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance Beyond Horizon-201, or Tapas BH-201. Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, these medium-altitude, long-endurance drones, previously called Rustom-II, fulfill the tri-services’ Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) needs. Capable of operating day and night at 30,000 feet with a 24-hour endurance, they feature a 250 km range, carry up to 350 kg payloads, and include advanced surveillance and radar technologies.

Notes:
India, the largest remittance recipient globally, is expected to receive 124 billion in inward remittances in 2024 and 129 billion in 2025. In 2023, India received $120 billion, marking a 7.5% growth rate, projected to be 3.7% in 2024. The World Bank’s June 2024 Migration and Development Brief highlights these trends, noting India as the leading emigrant origin country with 18.7 million emigrants.