Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The BioTRIG, a revolutionary waste management technology, employs pyrolysis to combat indoor air pollution, enhance soil health, and generate clean power in rural India. Functioning at the community level, it utilizes locally generated waste, producing bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertilizer. These products not only contribute to healthier living but also ensure sustainability by powering subsequent cycles and supplying surplus electricity to local homes and businesses. The clean-burning bio-oil serves as a green alternative for household cooking, while biochar aids in carbon storage and soil fertility improvement.

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The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, co-published by UNEP and ISWA, highlights key trends. Predictions indicate municipal solid waste will surge from 2.3 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. The direct cost of global waste management, at USD 252 billion in 2020, is projected to nearly double by 2050 without immediate intervention. Barriers include insufficient urgency recognition, incomplete data, and climate impact underestimation, as well as gendered aspects, informal sector undervaluation, and inadequate legislation.

Notes:
150 railway stations and 6 metro stations have earned the coveted “Eat Right Station” certification, a part of the Eat Right India movement by FSSAI. Led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the initiative mandates stringent food safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards for all vendors at certified stations.

Notes:
The Telangana government mandates the One Time Scheme (OTS) adoption in all urban local bodies, including GHMC, aiming to ease financial burdens on property owners. The initiative seeks to alleviate concerns of mounting arrears interest on property tax payments, providing a strategic solution to ease financial strain across urban municipalities in the state.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, to operate in Varanasi. The hydrogen fuel cell system was developed by KPIT Technologies in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs. The initiative, named Harit Nauka (green boat), is led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, aiming for a green transition in inland vessels. Guidelines unveiled in January 2024 mandate states to use green fuels for 50% of inland waterways passenger fleets by 2034 and 100% by 2045 to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

Notes:
The ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2022’ report reveals a leopard population increase to 13,874 from 12,852 in 2018. Indian leopards, found in various forested regions spanning India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, are most abundant in Central India and Eastern Ghats (8,820), followed by the Western Ghats (3,596) and the Shivalik Hills/Gangetic Plains (1,109). Statewise, Madhya Pradesh leads with 3,907 leopards, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879), and Tamil Nadu (1,070).

Notes:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized the Poshan Utsav to promote good nutrition behavior and address malnutrition in India. Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani and Bill Gates graced the event, which saw the release of the ‘Poshan Utsav Book’ by the Deendayal Research Institute. This initiative aims to revive ancient nutrition traditions, encourage intergenerational learning, and appreciate India’s culinary heritage while combatting malnutrition. The event also marked the launch of the Cartoon Coalition.

Notes:
The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority recently partnered with an Indian company to construct “Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems” on Delft, Neduntheevu, Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands near Jaffna peninsula. Nainativu Island, located in the Palk Strait near Jaffna, holds historical significance and is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. Notably, it houses the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil, a historic Hindu temple dedicated to the principal goddess Amman, identified with the renowned Tamil deity Meenakshi. The Mahavamsa mentions Buddha’s second visit to the island.

Notes:
Indian scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have developed a new wound dressing material from banana fibers. The material is a multifunctional patch that combines banana fibers with biopolymers like chitosan and guar gum. The patch has excellent mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.

Notes:
Sub-inspector Suman Kumari is the first woman sniper in the Border Security Force (BSF). She recently completed an eight-week sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore and achieved “instructor grade”. Suman’s journey to becoming a sniper began when she was commanding a platoon in Punjab and saw the threat of cross-border sniper attacks. She volunteered for the sniper course, becoming the sole female among 56 male counterparts.