Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Pong Dam, constructed on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, began in 1961 to support irrigation in Rajasthan. It displaced over 20,000 families, with 6,736 cases of rehabilitation still pending. The state government is actively working to expedite these cases, aiming to provide land to those affected. Its creation led to the artificial lake, Maharana Pratap Sagar, which was later declared a bird sanctuary in 1983. The lake became a Ramsar Wetland in 2002, hosting diverse birds like Bar-Headed Geese, northern lapwing, and Eurasian coot.

Notes:
The Asiatic golden cat, after a long absence, was recently spotted in Assam’s Manas National Park, marking a conservation success. They are known as the “rock cat” in China and “fire cat” in Thailand and Burma. It has fur colors ranging from cinnamon to shades of brown, gray, and black. These solitary, territorial cats are diurnal and crepuscular, often living in varied habitats like rainforests, deciduous, and sub-alpine forests, at elevations up to 3,738 m. The cat, classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, thrives in diverse habitats across Southeast Asia and Northeast India, showcasing the resilience of wildlife amid challenges.

Notes:
Haryana will celebrate the International Gita Mahotsav from November 28 to December 15. Tanzania is the partner country, and Odisha is the partner state this year. A special cleanliness campaign, “Divya Kurukshetra,” will launch in Kurukshetra, with the Chief Minister participating to encourage public support. Gita Jayanti will be celebrated on December 11, with key events occurring from December 5-11.

Notes:
Artisans in Andhra Pradesh are being trained to create eco-friendly products from water hyacinth, an invasive plant. This initiative, led by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation, aims to clear water bodies while providing livelihood to local artisans. The fibrous stems of water hyacinth are processed into various handicrafts such as handbags and decorative items. Water hyacinth, called Gurrapudekka in Telugu, is an invasive aquatic plant with a fibrous stem.
It is used in making handicrafts like handbags, table mats, baskets, and decorative items. The plant absorbs heavy metals and pollutants, aiding in wastewater treatment, but needs careful disposal.

Notes:
Assam’s Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary faces a severe biodiversity crisis, with bird diversity dropping over 70%. This small 11.25 sq.km wetland spans the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts and was declared a sanctuary in 1996. Originally part of the River Subansiri system, the river now flows 7 km away. The sanctuary has a moist tropical climate, receiving about 2000 mm of rainfall annually.

Notes:
The 17th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2024 concluded in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with a session led by Union Minister Manohar Lal. The three-day event focused on sustainable urban mobility solutions and brought together key stakeholders and experts. Bhubaneswar was awarded ‘City with the Best Public Transport System’ at the conference.
The award was presented to Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, by Union Minister Manohar Lal.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Home Affairs recently inaugurated a new Passenger Terminal Building and a Maitri Dwar in Petrapole, West Bengal, costing Rs. 487 crore by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI). LPAI was established under the Land Ports Authority Act, 2010, to manage cross-border movement of passengers and goods. Its main responsibility is to create and maintain border infrastructure in India, overseeing Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along the borders. The Central Government appoints the Chairperson and Members, who serve for five years or until age sixty. The nodal ministry for LPAI is the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Notes:
India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute, BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI), was inaugurated in Mohali. BRIC-NABI aims to advance the agri-food sector through biotechnology, supporting “Viksit Bharat” and “Make in India” initiatives. The institute focuses on high-yield crops, biofertilizers, and biopesticides to streamline research to commercialization. It promotes bio-based solutions like microbial fermentation for sustainable agriculture, improving crop yields, food quality, and alternative protein sources.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched a scholarship scheme for all Sanskrit students in the state. Plans were announced to revive Gurukul-style Sanskrit schools across UP to preserve cultural heritage. The new scholarship program removes age restrictions and expands eligibility, benefiting 69,195 students with ₹586 lakh in scholarships. Students must open bank accounts for direct fund transfers.

Notes:
Aandhi, a village near Jaipur, is adopting a zero-waste model through innovative green technologies. Initiatives include an Organic Waste Bio-Methanation Plant, Vermifiltration Technology, and Constructed Wetlands, which convert waste into resources, support renewable energy, and improve water management. These efforts align with India’s sustainability goals, showcasing how rural communities can leverage technology for environmental stewardship and community upliftment, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.