Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The ICIMOD’s Hindu Kush Himalaya snow update for 2024 reported record low snow persistence in India’s Ganga River basin, alongside similar challenges in the Brahmaputra and Indus basins. The HKH region spans eight countries and is crucial for Asia’s major river systems, supporting 1.9 billion people. It holds vast snow and glacier resources, essential for ecosystem services and downstream communities, making it pivotal for water supply across South and East Asia.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has established the world’s first conservation and breeding center for Asian king vultures in Maharajganj district. Named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, it aims to revive the critically endangered species, listed since 2007. The vultures face threats from habitat loss and diclofenac poisoning. Currently housing a male-female pair with plans to pair more females, the center monitors them round-the-clock. Once ready, pairs will be released into the wild to bolster their population and ensure their survival.

Notes:
Kozhikode in Kerala has been declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Established in 2004, UCCN promotes urban development through creativity, encompassing nearly 300 cities globally in fields such as literature, crafts, and music. Other Indian cities in UCCN include Srinagar and Jaipur (crafts and folk arts), Mumbai (film), Chennai, Gwalior, and Varanasi (music), and Hyderabad (gastronomy).

Notes:
Srinagar, the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir, has been designated as a “World Craft City” by the World Crafts Council. This recognition, shared by the Office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, highlights the city’s skilled and dedicated artisans. The award honors and aims to protect Srinagar’s unique traditional crafts, showcasing their global admiration and cultural richness.

Notes:
Russia has approved a draft logistics agreement with India, advancing military cooperation under the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS). This agreement aims to streamline logistics support for joint military operations, providing facilities for troops, warships, and aircraft during peacetime and wartime missions. It enhances India’s maritime influence, supports Arctic research collaboration, and helps balance logistics agreements with Quad countries, countering regional influences from the US and China.

Notes:
The Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE) was inaugurated on June 23 at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha highlighted BCORE’s role as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and performance in Indian sports. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, BCORE promotes Olympic values as an academic center.

Notes:
The first IDF Regional Dairy Conference Asia Pacific-2024 held at Kochi from June 26-28, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty. The conference themed “Farmer Centric Innovations in Dairying” is organized by the Indian National Committee of the International Dairy Federation. Key figures include the Secretary of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the National Dairy Development Board. Leaders and experts will address global dairy sector issues. The event features 22 exhibition pavilions and 17 startups showcasing dairy farms, processing equipment, and related technologies.

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.

Notes:
A new spider species, Steriphopus wangala, was discovered in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills. Named after the Garo community’s Wangala harvest festival, this spider belongs to the Palp-Footed Spider family and has reddish-brown coloring. The Wangala festival, or 100 Drums Festival, marks the end of the agricultural season, featuring rhythmic drumming and dances to thank deities and celebrate the harvest, signifying winter’s onset.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a new school curriculum chapter on the Emergency of 1975-77, highlighting the “excesses and repression” during that period. This aims to educate the younger generation about the struggle against the Emergency. Additional benefits for ‘Loktantra Senanis’ include air ambulances for serious health issues, fare discounts, state honors for funerals, and increased funeral financial support from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. Employment training will also be provided to their families.