Consider the following pairs
National parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries located in
- Jaldapara National Park West Bengal
- Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary Himachal Pradesh
- Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary Bihar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Environment Minister releases Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of 146 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- At present, India has a network of 903 Protected Areas in the country covering about 5% of the total geographic area of the country. In order to assess the efficacy of Protected Areas, evaluation of management effectiveness is required.
- The report stated that at present, India has a network of 903 Protected Areasin the country covering about 5% of the total geographic area of the country.
- It highlighted that India is home to 70% of the global tiger population, 70% of Asiatic lionsand more than 60% of leopard population.
- The results of present assessment are encouraging with overall mean MEE score of 62.01% which is higher than the global mean of 56%.
- The present MEE exercise included 146 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuariesin five regions viz Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and North-eastern, covering 29 states and Union Territories of India.
- The top 5 protected areas under MEE are Tirthan WLS (HP), Great Himalayan National Park (HP), Sainj WLS (HP), Raiganj WLS (West Bengal) and Jaldapara National Park (West Bengal). Hence option (a) is correct
- The bottom 5 protected areas under MEE are Turtle WLS (UP), Khaparwas WLS (Haryana), Ramsagar WLS (Rajasthan), Pani-Dihing Bird WLS (Assam) and Jai Prakash Narayan (Surhatal) Bird WLS (UP).
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) successfully completed one full cycle of evaluating all terrestrial National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of the country from 2006 to 2019.
- The new framework for MEE of Marine Protected Areas has been also jointly prepared by WII and MoEF&CC and it will be very useful document to implement.
- It also launched the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Indian Zoos (MEE-ZOO) framework which proposes guidelines, criteria and indicators for evaluation of zoos of the country.
What is Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)?
- The Protected area (PA) management effectiveness evaluation (MEE) is defined as the assessment of how well National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries are being managed i.e. whether they are protecting their values and achieving the goals and objectives agreed upon.
- It is a very important document which provides valuable guidance on various aspects of wildlife and protected area expand MEE of Marine Protected Areas.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1687688
Which of the following options are main reasons for the Insect Apocalypse?
- Climate Change
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Light Pollution
- Invasive Species
- Changes in land use
- Intensive agriculture
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1,2,3,5 and 7 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1,2 ,4,6 and 7 only
- All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
Explanation:
In NEWS: World insect population declining at an alarming rate, say studies
- The world’s vital insect kingdom is undergoing “death by a thousand cuts,” the world’s top bug experts said. Insects outweigh humanity by seventeen times. They are essential for the proper functioning of the ecosystem as pollinators, food for other creatures and as recyclers of nutrients
- Climate change, insecticides, herbicides, light pollution, invasive species and changes in agriculture and land use are causing Earth to lose probably 1% to 2% of its insects each year. Hence option (d) is correct
- The problem, sometimes called the insect apocalypse, is like a jigsaw puzzle. And scientists say they still don’t have all the pieces, so they have trouble grasping its enormity and complexity and getting the world to notice and do something.
- Two well known ones — honeybees and Monarch butterflies — best illustrate insect problems and declines, he said. Honeybees have been in dramatic decline because of disease, parasites, insecticides, herbicides and lack of food.
Financial Stability Report is released by which of the following organization?
- Reserve Bank of India
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
- NITI Aayog
- National Development Council
Answer: (a) Reserve Bank of India
Explanation:
In NEWS: Banks’ gross NPAs may rise to 13.5% by Sept: Financial stability report
- Banks will have to brace for a rollback of regulatory forbearance that was announced in the wake of Covid-19, and enhance their capital positions, the RBI said
- The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) Financial Stability Report (FSR) of December 2020 has stated that banks’ gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) may rise sharply to 13.5 per cent by September 2021, and escalate to 14.8 per cent, nearly double the 7.5 per cent in the same period of 2019-20, under the severe stress scenario. Hence option (a) is correct
- And banks will have to brace for a rollback of regulatory forbearance that was announced in the wake of the pandemic, and enhance their capital positions.
- The gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio of private sector banks (PVBs) and foreign banks (FBs) may increase from 4.6% and 2.5% to 7.9% and 5.4%, respectively.
Recommendation of RBI to deal existing stock of Bad Loans
- Idea of Bad Bank: The Bad Bank refers to a separate entity where all the bad assets of the banking industry can be bundled into.
- Recapitalizing weak public sector banks: The banks may not be in a position to raise money on their own unlike the bigger ones (SBI, PNB, BoB etc.) and may require handholding from the government.
- RBI as banking judge of the Banking System: The interventions from judiciary and government on stressed asset resolution have done much damage to the banking sector in the past.
About Financial Stability Report
- It is a biannual report published since 2010.
- Its objective is to assess the financial stability scenario in the country, which is now one of the three important objectives of monetary policy besides price stability and credit support.
Magh Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in:
- Nagaland
- Meghalaya
- Manipur
- Assam
Answer: (d) Assam
Explanation:
The annual Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, which marks the end of the harvesting season and widespread feasting, will be celebrated across Assam
Date:
- This year, Magh Bihu will be celebrated on Friday that is January 15, 2021. The month of January–February is called Magh in Northeast India while ‘Bihu’ derives its meaning from the Sanskrit word ‘bishu’ which means “to ask for prosperity from the Gods during the harvesting season.” Hence option (d) is correct
Significance and celebrations:
- Developed from the festival Magan of Kachariby and by the Indo-aryan cultures, Tibeto-Burman ethnicity and also those of Austroasiatic, the festival has various essences. The majority in Assam, however, is of the indigenous Tribal Asian who are Sino-Tibetan and Austroasiatic.
- On the first day of Magh Bihu or Uruka or the Bihu Eve, women prepare food items like- Chira, Pitha, Laru, Curd for the following day of celebrations. Young people, mostly men, go to the fields and build makeshift huts, or Bhelaghar, using bamboo, leaves and thatch.
- A Meji or bonfire is lit early in the morning of Bihu and prayers are offered to the gods.
- Next day, the huts are burnt down, people take bath early in the morning and traditional Assamese games like tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking), buffalo fighting, cock fight and egg fights are held. Eating and enjoyment goes on for about a week.
Source: TH
Consider the following statements regarding National Youth Parliament Festival 2021
The Festival is organized on the occasion of the National Youth Day in order to encourage the youth in the age group of 18-25 years to engage with public issues and understand the common man’s point of view.
National Youth Day is celebrated on 12 January being the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
In News: PM addresses Valedictory Function of 2nd National Youth Parliament Festival
- The Festival is organised on 12th January on the occasion of the National Youth Day in order to encourage the youth in the age group of 18-25 years to engage with public issues and understand the common man’s point of view. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The First National Youth Parliament Festival was organized in January-February, 2019.
- National Youth Day is celebrated on 12 January being the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- In 1984 the Government of India declared this day as National Youth Day and since 1985 the event is celebrated in India every year.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the National Youth Parliament Festival – 2021 on January 12, 2021.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1687988
Recently, four members of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court for the “purpose of listening to the grievances of farmers relating to the farm laws and views of the government to make recommendations. Which of the following committee is mentioned above?
- Anil ghanwat
- C
- K. Singh
- S. Sharma
Answer: a) Anil Ghanwat
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: Who is Shetkari Sanghatana’s Anil Ghanwat, on SC farm panel?
- With the farmers’ protest raging on the borders of Delhi, members of the Sanghatana, along with representatives of some other farmers’ unions, met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar last month to express support for the three farm laws.
- Among the four members of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court for the “purpose of listening to the grievances of farmers relating to the farm laws and views of the government to make recommendations”, is Anil Ghanwat, president of the Shetkari Sanghatana, the Maharashtra-based farmers’ union founded by the legendary Sharad Joshi. Hence option (a) is the correct answer
Consider the following Statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
- It was launched in 2016 and is being administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- It provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crop thus helping in stabilising the income of the farmers.
- All food & oilseed crops and annual commercial/horticultural crops for which past yield data is available.
- The prescribed premium is 5% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops 5 rabi crops
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 4 only
- 2,3 and 4 only
- 1,2 and 3 only
- 1, 2,3 and 4
Answer: c) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Crop Insurance Scheme- The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yajana (PMFBY) successfully completes 5 Years of operations on 13th January 2021
- The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched in 2016 and is being administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crop thus helping in stabilising the income of the farmers. Hence statement 2 is correct
- All food & oilseed crops and annual commercial/horticultural crops for which past yield data is available. Hence statement 3 is correct
- The prescribed premium is 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all rabi crops. In the case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium is 5%.hence statement 4 is incorrect.
- The scheme is compulsory for loanee farmers availing Crop Loan /Kisan Credit Card (KCC) account for notified crops and voluntary for others.
- The scheme is implemented by empanelled general insurance companies. The selection of the Implementing Agency (IA) is done by the concerned State Government through bidding.
- Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to integrate its land records with the web portal of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
- 5 years ago, on 13th January 2016, the Government of India took a historic step towards strengthening risk coverage of crops for farmers of India and approved the flagship crop insurance scheme – the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The scheme was conceived as a milestone initiative to provide a comprehensive risk solution at the lowest uniform premium across the country for farmers. The Government of India is committed towards protecting the interests of the farmers.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687913
Which of the followings are indicators of Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX)
- Labour Market Mobility
- Education
- Health
- Political Participation
- Permanent Residence
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1, 2,3 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 5 only
- 1,4 and 5 only
- 1,2,3,4 and 5
Answer: d) 1, 2,3,4 and 5
Explanation:
In NEWS:
- The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a unique tool which measures policies to integrate migrants in countries across five continents, including all EU Member States (including the UK), other European countries (Albania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine), Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, and South Korea), North American countries (Canada, Mexico and US), South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile), and Australia and New Zealand in Oceania.
- Policy indicators have been developed to create a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants’ opportunities to participate in society.
Indicators of Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX)
- Family Reunion
- Labour Market Mobility
- Education
- Health
- Political Participation
- Permanent Residence
- Access to Nationality
- Anti discrimination. Hence all the above statements are correct.
Source https://www.mipex.eu/
Consider the following statements Zanskar Range
- It is a mountain range in the union territory of Ladakh that separates Zanskar from Ladakh
- It is part of the Tethys Himalaya, an approximately 100-km-wide synclinorium formed by strongly folded and imbricated, weakly metamorphosed sedimentary series.
- The average height of the Zanskar Range is about 6,000 m
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: 13-day Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sport & Youth festival 2021 to begin from Jan 18
- The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the union territory of Ladakh that separates Zanskar from Ladakh. Geologically, the Zanskar Range is part of the Tethys Himalaya, an approximately 100-km-wide synclinorium formed by strongly folded and imbricated, weakly metamorphosed sedimentary series. Hence statement 1 and statement 2 is correct
- The average height of the Zanskar Range is about 6,000 m. Its eastern part is known as Rupshu. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Zanskar Winter Sports & Youth Festival 2021 is being organized from 18th to 30th January 2021 by the Dept. of Sports & Youth Services under the Khelo India banner in collaboration with the Ladakh Tourism Department.
What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?
- To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
- To place the Indian administration under the British Crown.
- To regulate East India Company’s trade with India
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
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