Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji district will soon become a wildlife sanctuary. It is a rainforest in northeastern Assam, created in 1924, covering 10,221 hectares. It is located near the Himalayan foothills. The forest is bordered by the Siang, Dibang, and Lohit rivers, Brahmaputra, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, and Jonai villages. Ethnic groups like Mising, Bodo, Sonowal Kachari, and Hajong inhabit the area. Rich in flora and fauna, including slow loris, capped langur, and wild boar. Home to 45 species of birds and reptiles, and diverse fish species. Important migratory route for elephants, connecting other wildlife areas.

Notes:
India should be given a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for its rightful place, according to former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani. The UNSC is one of the five main organizations of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining global peace and security. All UN member states must follow UNSC decisions. The UNSC identifies threats to peace, urges peaceful dispute resolution, and may impose sanctions or authorize military action. It has 15 members: five permanent (P5) with veto power (UK, China, France, Russia, USA) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. UNSC headquarters is in New York City.

Notes:
Bengaluru’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, launched the ‘Nambike Nakshe’ scheme to streamline building approvals. The scheme simplifies the process for properties up to 4,000 square feet within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas. It allows property owners to obtain provisional approval for building plans from certified architects or engineers. This change lets owners start planning their buildings sooner, bypassing initial approval complexities. It benefits landowners in areas developed by the Bangalore Development Authority and Karnataka Housing Board, often with plots around 50×80 feet.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly introduced Zero Hour for the first time in its proceedings. Zero Hour, an Indian parliamentary invention from the Sixties, is gradually being adopted by state assemblies. It is a convention, not a rule, and is not mentioned in the rules of Parliament or State Assemblies. Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, announced its introduction at the start of the monsoon session on 3 September 2024. Zero Hour begins at 12:30 PM, after the Question Hour, and lasts for 30 minutes. During Zero Hour, members can raise urgent matters of public importance, with each member getting about a minute to speak.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India expressed a desire for stronger ties with Brunei, focusing on enhancing commercial and cultural connections during his visit to Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei is located on the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia and sits in both the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and surrounded by Malaysia, with two non-contiguous parts divided by Sarawak. The capital and largest city is Bandar Seri Begawan, and the highest point is Bukit Pagon, reaching 6,069 feet along the border with Malaysia. Brunei has several rivers, including Belait, Pandaruan, and Tutong, and is a significant oil producer in Southeast Asia.

Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) signed an MoU with the UAE Accountability Authority to enhance collaboration between the two countries in public sector auditing. CAG of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, emphasized the shared values and strong ties between India and the UAE, and the MoU will create opportunities for learning and cooperation. The partnership focuses on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and best practices in public sector auditing. UAE Accountability Authority President, Humaid Obaid Khalifa, highlighted the MoU’s role in improving governance and accountability in both nations. This agreement strengthens audit cooperation, promoting transparency and efficiency in government operations.

Notes:
A new jumping spider species, Carrhotus piperus, has been discovered in the lower Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu. It was found on pepper plants, about two meters above the ground. The name piperus comes from the plant Piper nigrum, reflecting its habitat. This discovery adds to the rich biodiversity of the region and brings the total Carrhotus species in India to 10, and globally to 37. The spider is unique due to its prolateral protrusion and beak-shaped embolus. The Palani Hills are part of the Western Ghats and are a continuation of the Anaimalai Hills in Kerala.

Notes:
International Literacy Day has been observed globally on September 8th since 1967. The day highlights the importance of literacy in building a just, peaceful, and sustainable society. It serves as a reminder to policymakers, practitioners, and the public about literacy’s role in personal and societal development. The observance emphasizes the global commitment to literacy as a fundamental human right.

Notes:
The Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) warned that financialisation could affect India’s macroeconomic outcomes. Financialisation refers to the growing size and influence of the financial sector in a country’s economy. It involves financial markets, institutions, and elites gaining control over economic policies and outcomes. The shift is from traditional industries like manufacturing to financial activities such as asset trading and speculation. This process affects both the macro and microeconomy, influencing corporate behavior and policies. Financialisation has also led to higher income growth in the financial sector compared to other sectors.

Notes:
The 17th Paris Paralympics concluded on 8 September 2024 with a ceremony at Stade de France, Paris. It was held from 28 August to 8 September 2024, organized by the International Paralympics Committee. The 18th Summer Paralympics will take place in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. India won a record 29 medals, surpassing the 19-medal haul from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. China topped the medal tally with 220 medals, while India ranked 18th. Harvinder Singh and Preeti Pal were India’s flag bearers at the closing ceremony.