Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
A record drought hitting the Amazon rainforest has revealed petroglyphs carved by humans up to 2,000 years ago that are now partly submerged in one of the largest rivers in the region.
The pre-Columbian engravings were found at a point in the Brazilian city of Manaus, where the Negro River’s dark waters meet the Amazon River. The images carved into the rocks depict humans, animals and geometric shapes, such as squares and circles.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand Cabinet gives nod to set up Rajaji Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation. The primary aim of this foundation is to expedite and facilitate ecological, economic, social, and cultural development within the regions encompassing the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
t also aims to provide alternative livelihood opportunities to the local communities to reduce their dependence on forests.

Notes:
The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court issued a directive instructing the Goa government to formally declare a tiger reserve in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) and adjoining regions of the state within a three-month period.
Additionally, the court mandated the state to resolve the rights and claims of Scheduled Tribes and other forest inhabitants within a one-year timeframe.

Notes:
The Global Solar Facility under the International Solar Alliance is poised to secure a capital infusion of $35 million, with the Government of India contemplating an investment of $25 million as its capital contribution.
The primary goal of the Global Solar Facility (GSF) is to stimulate solar investments in underprivileged areas and regions throughout Africa, thereby facilitating the release of commercial capital for these initiatives.

Notes:
Recently, the DGCA has permitted scheduled commuter airlines to operate Single Engine Turbine (SET) planes at night.
The operations with Single Engine Turbine (SET) planes were introduced for Scheduled Commuter Airlines (SCAs) in 2018. Till now, such operations were restricted to day operations and Visual Flight Rules (VFR). This move will contribute to improving air connectivity to remote areas during nighttime.

Notes:
China has dispatched a new scientific expedition team to build its fifth research station in Antarctica. The expedition includes two Chinese icebreaker research ships and a cargo ship carrying more than 460 personnel.
The team will conduct climate change studies and help complete construction of the station. The station will provide communications for China’s scientific polar observation satellites.

Notes:
According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) titled ‘The Impact of Disaster on Agriculture and Food Security,’ there has been a significant increase in the frequency of extreme disaster events over the past five decades.
In the 1970s, the world experienced approximately 100 disaster events per year. However, in the last two decades, that number has risen to around 400 disasters annually on a global scale. This trend highlights the growing challenges and risks that disasters pose to agriculture and food security worldwide.

Notes:
Morocco, a North African country, borders the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. According to the 2022 Morocco Country Climate and Development Report, it is projected that by 2050, renewable energy sources could account for more than 85% of the country’s electricity generation.
This represents a significant increase from the 20% reported in 2021. As a result of this transition, it is estimated that there could be a net increase of at least 28,000 jobs annually.

Notes:
The Competition Commission of India (CCI), chief national competition regulator in India, is initiating a pan-India comprehensive nationwide Market Study on the Cement sector.
It aims to study the market trends including inter alia trends in cement price, cost, production, capacity, capacity utilisation and profitability among others.

Notes:
The Jharkhand state Cabinet has given its approval for the implementation of the Mukhya Mantri Ujjwal Jharkhand Yojana, with a budget allocation of Rs 1,485.39 crore.
This scheme aims to provide electricity to rural hamlets and households that currently lack access to electricity, as well as to cover the remaining unserved urban areas.