Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
A new plant species, Emblica Chakrabarti, was found in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, specifically in Adichilthotti within the Edamalayar forest range. Belonging to the Phyllanthaceae family, Emblica plants typically thrive as shrubs in tropical rainforests, reaching up to 2 meters in height. They flower and bear fruit from December to June. This discovery adds to the biodiversity of the region, highlighting its ecological significance.

Notes:
At the 33rd Arab League Summit in Manama, leaders emphasized the rapprochement process a year after Syria’s reinstatement. UN chief urged for Gaza ceasefire and regional unity. The League of Arab States, established in 1945 in Cairo, aims to strengthen relations, coordinate policies, and promote cooperation among its 22 member states. India holds observer status.

Notes:
Air pollution poses severe health risks globally. Researchers from IIT Jodhpur published a study in Nature Communications, revealing insights into Northern India’s particulate matter (PM) sources. The study emphasizes the need to address local combustion processes, like biomass and fossil fuel burning, to reduce health impacts. Key findings include PM2.5 source identification, differentiation between emitted and atmospheric PM, and correlation of PM’s harmfulness with its oxidative potential, aiding policymakers in effective air quality strategies.

Notes:
The week-long annual Gangamma Jatara folk festival, celebrated in the first half of May, is a significant event in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Honoring Goddess Gangamma, believed to be Lord Venkateswara’s younger sister, the festival attracts devotees to the Tataiahgunta Gangamma temple. Unique traditions include the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam sending a symbolic birthday gift, “Parisu,” from Lord Venkateswara to Goddess Gangamma.

Notes:
Spain has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 99th member. The ratification was handed over in New Delhi by Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez to Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh. The ISA, co-founded by India and France during COP21 in 2015, aims to promote solar energy deployment, enhancing energy access, security, and transition in member countries to combat climate change.

Notes:
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari inaugurated the IAF Emergency Medical Response System (EMRS) at the Command Hospital in Bengaluru. This facility enhances the Indian Air Force’s capability to provide immediate medical assistance to its personnel and families. The EMRS includes a 24×7 pan-IAF helpline, offering expert medical guidance, rapid evacuation, and definitive care during emergencies, ensuring comprehensive support for IAF members and their dependents.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister urged Naxalites to integrate into mainstream society, seeking their input for a new surrender rehabilitation policy. Emphasizing dialogue, the government offers development initiatives like the Niyad Nellanar scheme, providing essential amenities to villages near security camps in the Naxal-affected Bastar region. This effort aims to ensure holistic development beyond anti-Naxal operations, fostering equality and progress in tribal areas.

Notes:
The GSAP SKILLS Platform, launched at the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, Convention on Biological Diversity. It aims to bolster global species conservation efforts. Managed by IUCN, it connects decision-makers, practitioners, and experts, providing real-time updates and technical resources. Supported by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, and resources from the Tech4Nature Initiative by IUCN and Huawei, it facilitates collaboration and implements biodiversity targets with actionable interventions and tools.

Notes:
A recent mass fish kill devastated the Periyar River in Kerala, causing widespread destruction and outrage. The Periyar River, Kerala’s longest, originates in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and flows northward, passing through the Periyar National Park into the man-made Periyar Lake. It eventually joins the Vembanad Lake before reaching the Arabian Sea. The river, spanning 244 km, sustains a vast area and is vital for Kerala’s economy, notably with the Idukki Dam, the state’s largest hydroelectric project.

Notes:
A portion of Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka, specifically the ‘saalu mantap’ pavilion, collapsed due to torrential rains. Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom. It showcases Dravida temple architecture with grand gopuras, Vimana, intricate carvings, and pillared halls.