Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The World Energy Employment 2024 report by the International Energy Agency highlights global energy employment surpassing broader labor market trends in 2023. Clean energy remains the main driver of job growth. In India, energy jobs account for over 8.5 million, or 1.5% of the total employment (566 million) in 2023. India’s energy sector relies heavily on informal labor. The clean energy workforce in India is expected to grow further, supported by government initiatives that promote job creation.

Notes:
A severe drought has lowered the water levels of Lake Kariba, threatening to shut down the Kariba Dam for the first time in its 65-year history, impacting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s economies. Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, spanning 2,000 square miles along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Formed by damming the Zambezi River, the Kariba Dam is 128 meters high and provides power to both countries. The lake hosts 102 islands, including Chete Island, which has the world’s largest protected wetlands and the largest population of African elephants.

Notes:
Telangana has introduced a 100% exemption on road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles (EVs) until December 31, 2026. This initiative aims to promote sustainable transport and reduce air pollution, especially in cities like Hyderabad. The exemption applies to various EVs, including two-wheelers, four-wheelers (both private and commercial), three-wheelers, electric buses, and light goods carriers. Electric buses run by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) receive indefinite tax exemption. Private industry buses for employee transport are also exempted until December 2026. The policy aims to make EVs more affordable and support the state’s sustainability goals.

Notes:
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to highlight India’s microbial potential. The initiative focuses on unique bacterial species critical to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), it aims to release fully annotated bacteriological genomes to the public. The initiative will include graphical summaries, infographics, and genome details. It makes microbial genomics data accessible to the public and researchers, fostering discussions and innovations benefiting the community and ecosystem.

Notes:
India is projected to lead the G20 in 2024 with a 7% GDP growth rate, reflecting its robust and fast-growing economy. Indonesia ranks second with 5%, followed by China at 4.8%. Russia (3.6%) and Brazil (3%) rank fourth and fifth, with the African region also at 3%. The US is at 2.8%, while Canada (1.3%) and Australia (1.2%) show slower growth. France, the EU, and the UK are at 1.1%, Italy at 0.7%, and Japan at 0.3%. Germany has zero growth, the lowest among advanced countries. The G20 Summit in Brazil focuses on hunger, poverty, inequality, sustainable development, and governance reforms.

Notes:
The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh recently welcomed a young male tiger, marking the first tiger sighting in nearly 40 years. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi flow through the sanctuary, with Balamdehi River forming its western boundary and Jonk River its northeastern boundary. The area, spanning 244.66 sq. km, has a sufficient prey base and water availability, but challenges remain in protecting the sanctuary from poachers and ensuring a stable food cycle for the tigers.

Notes:
The Forest Department started evening coaching classes for school children in 10 tribal hamlets in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). These classes have greatly improved the learning skills of tribal children. STR is located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. It is contiguous with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Bandipur and BR Tiger Reserves in Karnataka. The Nilgiris biosphere landscape hosts the world’s largest tiger population, with over 280 tigers.

Notes:
The Global Soils Conference 2024 was inaugurated in New Delhi on 19 November and runs until 22 November. It serves as a key global platform for soil scientists, government, industry leaders, and farmers. The conference focuses on the importance of soils, addressing soil degradation, and promoting sustainable soil management. It is organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi, under the International Union of Soil Sciences, Italy. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Academy of Agricultural Science are collaborating in the event.

Notes:
El Cajas National Park in Ecuador’s highlands near Cuenca is severely affected by wildfires due to a prolonged drought. The Ecuadorian government declared a 60-day national emergency to combat forest fires threatening the park’s ecology and water resources. The park spans 285.44 km², with altitudes ranging from 3100m to 4450m, and was declared a National Park on November 5, 1996. It features páramo vegetation, jagged hills, valleys, and 270 lakes, with Luspa as the largest. Rivers Tomebamba and Yanuncay originate here, feeding the Amazon Basin and draining to the Pacific.

Notes:
The India Women’s Hockey Team won their third Asian Champions Trophy title with a 1-0 victory over China. Deepika scored the decisive goal in the third quarter at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. This marks India’s second consecutive Asian Champions Trophy title, won on home soil. The final was a closely contested match, showcasing strong performances from both teams.