Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has hit 60% of milch cattle in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh. FMD, a highly contagious viral disease, affects livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. It’s not harmful to horses, dogs, or cats. Intensively reared animals are more prone. FMD is a transboundary animal disease, affecting livestock production and trade. It’s caused by an aphthovirus and characterized by fever and blister-like sores. Recovery is common but leads to production losses.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER-Tirupati) and the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department are collaborating to create a bird atlas of Papikonda National Park (PNP) and the surrounding hill range in Andhra Pradesh. The team, led by ornithologists, birdwatchers, and wildlife experts, has recorded more than 200 bird species, including the Common Iora, Green Munia, Buff Chested Babbler, Grey Treepie, and Abbott’s Babbler.

Notes:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in New Delhi in March 2024 to combat human trafficking in India. The MoU’s key objectives include working together to prevent human trafficking and rescue trafficked women.

Notes:
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations’ (UN) climate agency, releases the State of the Global Climate report. The 2023 report confirms that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature 1.45 °Celsius (with a margin of uncertainty of ± 0.12 °C) above the pre-industrial baseline. The report also confirms that 2023 was the warmest 10-year period on record. The WMO also said there is a “high probability” that 2024 will be another record-hot year.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2024 to promote technology development, innovative solutions, and joint R&D. The MoU was signed at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, and will be co-ordinated by INS Shivaji, Lonavala. The collaboration focuses on joint research and development initiatives involving teams from both the Indian Navy and IIT Kharagpur.

Notes:
Rajasthan is the first state in India to develop a system that provides real-time information on the availability of water in dams and canals. The state has launched the Rajasthan Water Resources Dashboard. This initiative aims to enhance water management efficiency and predict floods and droughts. Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat hailed Rajasthan’s pioneering effort, marking a significant step in water and disaster management.

Notes:
The 3rd edition of North East Games 2024 commenced in Nagaland at Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence, Sovima. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the event. Over 3000 athletes from eight North Eastern states compete in 15 disciplines across three districts. Host Nagaland won the opening football match against Tripura. Manipur also secured victory in Sepaktakraw Men’s event against Mizoram. The games feature sports like archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, lawn tennis, Pencak Silat, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, and wushu.

Notes:
Nishant, a young poet and critic, is awarded the 29th Devi Shankar Awasthi Award in 2023 for his book ‘Kavita Pathak Aalochna’. The selection committee, comprising esteemed writers like Mridula Garg and Sudhir Chandra, unanimously chose Nishant. Established in 1995, this honor, named after Hindi literary critic Devi Shankar Awasthi, recognizes young critics for their significant contributions to Hindi criticism. Nishant’s work exemplifies excellence in both criticism and poetry.

Notes:
Bihar has formulated a Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) to strengthen its waste management and domestic wastewater sector. The LCAP is part of the state’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2070. The LCAP includes an assessment of the existing waste management infrastructure, including solid waste and domestic wastewater, and outlines a roadmap to reduce emissions.

Notes:
India recently hosted the 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) in New Delhi. Established in 2003, IPHE comprises 23 member countries and the European Commission, including major economies like the US, Japan, and China. It aims to expedite the transition to clean energy and mobility systems through hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. IPHE fosters international collaboration in research, development, and commercial utilization activities.