Harike Wetland is one of the largest man-made wetlands of
1.Punjab State
2.Haryana State
3.West Bengal State
4.Bihar State
Answer: (a) Punjab state
Explanation:
In NEWS: Water birds make a beeline to Punjab’s Harike wetland
- Winter migratory water birds using the central Asian flyway have started making a beeline to Punjab’s Harike wetland, offering a delight for bird lovers. Hence option (a) is correct
- Harike wetland has been host to birds such as the Eurasian coot, greylag goose, bar-headed goose, gadwall and the northern shoveler.
- Among others species, common pochard, spot-billed duck, little cormorant, pied avocet, great cormorant, ferruginous pochard and common teal have been spotted with regularity.
- On average, the number has been ranging between 92,000 and 94,000 over the years. The average number has been stable.
- However, the number of some species, including northern lapwing, Pacific golden plover, black-bellied tern and cotton pygmy goose, has witnessed a decline.
ABOUT HARIKE LAKE
- Harike is one of the largest man-made wetlands of northern India which shares its area with the Tarntaran, Ferozpur and Kapurthala districts of Punjab.
- It came into existence in 1952 after the construction of barrage near the confluence of rivers Sutlej and Beas. Harike is a significant abode for the birds migrating from across the international frontiers.
- The wetland area is spread over about 41 km2and supports more than 400 avian species. In addition to haven for birds, Harike also harbours endangered aquatic mammalian as well as reptilian fauna like Indus river dolphin, smooth-coated otter and seven species of rare freshwater turtles.
- In area of about 86 km2has been notified as wildlife sanctuary. Considered a wetland of international importance especially as waterfowl refuge, this site was accorded the wetland status in 1990 by the Ramsar Convention.
Recently, a team of archaeologists has discovered the world’s oldest known cave painting (a wild pig) in
1.India
2.Iran
3.South Africa
4.Indonesia
Answer: (d) Indonesia
Explanation:
In NEWS: World’s oldest known cave painting found in Indonesia
- Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest known cave art — a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was painted at least 45,500 years ago in Indonesia. The cave painting uncovered in South Sulawesi consists of a figurative depiction of a warty pig, a wild boar that is endemic to this Indonesian island. Hence option (d) is correct
- The archaeologists have noted that the dated painting of the Sulawesi warty pig seems to be the world’s oldest surviving representational image of an animal.
- The painting was made using red ochre pigment and depicts a pig with a short crest of upright hairs and a pair of horn-like facial warts in front of the eyes.
- The pigs have been hunted by humans for tens of thousands of years and are the most commonly depicted animal in the ice age rock art of the island.
- The archaeologists have used a method called U-series isotope analysis in order to date the cave art painting.
- The method uses calcium carbonate deposits that form naturally on the cave wall surface to determine its age.
- The archeologists have used a calcium carbonate deposit, also referred to as“cave popcorn” that had formed on the rear foot of one of the pig figures.
- The archeologists were able to figure out a minimum age for the painting at around 45,500 years, which means the painting was made before this.
Consider the following Statements regarding 5G technology
It is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks
It is mainly works in 3 bands
It will have even faster speeds with latency down to between 1-10 milliseconds.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: What is 5G and how prepared is India to adapt to this tech?
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sought inputs from telcos and other industry experts on the sale and use of radio frequency spectrum over the next 10 years, including the 5G bands.
What is 5G technology?
- 5G or fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks. Hence statement 1 is correct
- 5G is the fifth generation cellular technology that apart from increasing the downloading and uploading speeds over the mobile network, also reduces the latency i.e. the time taken by a network to respond.
- 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high frequency spectrum — all of which have their own uses as well as limitations. Hence statement 2 is correct
- 5G will provide download speed of 1 Gbps, which is at least 100 times the existing data speeds. Hence statement 3 is correct
- It also increases energy efficiency and offers more stable network connections.
- 5G will have a wider area in the frequency spectrum (range of frequencies) that will ensure no network congestion.
- In addition, it will also ensure connectivity to a full circle i.e. everything is connected to every other thing.
- 5G will help facilitate the ecosystem for the Internet of Things (IoT) and to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our daily lives and
- To get the benefits of 5G, users will have to buy new phones, while carriers will need to install new transmission equipment to offer the faster service.
Where does India stand in the 5G technology race?
- On par with the global players, India had, in 2018, planned to start 5G services as soon as possible, with an aim to capitalise on the better network speeds and strength that the technology promised.
- All the three private telecom players, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Bharti Airtel and Vi, have been urging the DoT to lay out a clear road map of spectrum allocation and 5G frequency bands.
- One big hurdle, however, is the lack of flow of cash and adequate capital with at least two of the three players, namely Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
Consider the following Statements regarding Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
The treaty prohibited the United States and the Soviet Union from possessing, testing and deploying ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres
The treaty exempted the air-launched and sea-based missile systems in the same range.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: What Russia’s exit means for the Open Skies Treaty
In November, the United States left the OST first after accusing Russia of violating the pact– allegations that Russia denied. Moscow has now blamed Washington for its own decision of leaving the treaty.
What happens now that both the US and Russia are out?
The failure of the Open Skies Treaty follows the demise of another significant arms control accord, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, after both the US and Russia left it in 2019.
About Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
- The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty required the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate and permanently forswear all of their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers.
- The treaty marked the first time the superpowers had agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, eliminate an entire category of nuclear weapons, and employ extensive on-site inspections for verification.
- As a result of the INF Treaty, the United States and the Soviet Union destroyed a total of 2,692 short-, medium-, and intermediate-range missiles by the treaty’s implementation deadline of June 1, 1991.
- The treaty exempted the air-launched and sea-based missile systems in the same range.
- The INF treaty helped address the fears of an imminent nuclear war in Europe.
- It also built some trust between Washington and Moscow and contributed to the end of the Cold War.
Consider the following statements regarding SKOCH Challenger Award
It was instituted in 2003 and recognizes people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.
It recognizes the best of efforts in the area of digital, financial and social inclusion, governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications
Recently, Tribal Affairs Minister to receive this award for e-governance
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:Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda to receive SKOCH Challenger Award virtually tomorrow
- It was instituted in 2003 and recognises people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It recognises the best of efforts in the area of digital, financial and social inclusion, governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leadership, corporate governance, citizen service delivery, capacity building and empowerment. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda will virtually receive SKOCH Challenger Award conferred to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for e-Governance tomorrow. The award has been given to the Ministry for its IT-led initiatives and other transformational initiatives leading to outcome-based performance improvement. Hence statement 3 is correct
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken up several transformational initiatives recently.
- It has digitalised all the processes leading to a paperless office, monitoring is data driven and a performance dashboard is d on a real time basis. There is transparency with tribal related data available in the public domain.
Source: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=408024
With reference to the Startup India Seed Fund, consider the following statements
It aims to support startups and help budding entrepreneurs pursue innovative ideas.
It was announced during the Prarambh: Startup India International summit
The corpus of the fund is 100 crore
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: PM interacts with Startups and addresses ‘Prarambh: Startup India International Summit’
- Prime Minister on 16 January 2021 announced the launch of Rs 1,000-crore ‘Startup India Seed Fund’ to support startups and help budding entrepreneurs pursue innovative ideas. Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect
- Addressing the ‘Prarambh: Startup India International Summit’, PM exuded confidence that the growth of startups will help in generating jobs and improving lives of people in the region. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- Fund of funds scheme is already helping startups raising equity capital. The Government will also help the startups in raising capital through guarantees.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1689160
Among the following which is not a member of G7 nations
1.Canada
2.Italy
3.Russia
4.Japan
Answer: c) Russia
Explanation:
In NEWS: Britain invites PM Modi to attend G7 Summit to be held in June this year
- United Kingdom has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit as a guest.
- The G7, made up of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and the EU, is the only forum where the world’s most influential and open societies and advanced economies are brought together for close-knit discussions. Hence option (c) is the incorrect answer
- Terming India as ‘pharmacy of the world’, the UK lauded the efforts regarding the production of coronavirus vaccine
Source:
http://newsonair.com/News?title=Britain-invites-PM-Modi-to-attend-G7-Summit-to-be-held-in-June-this-year&id=408143
Adaptation Gap Report is released by which of the following organization?
United Nations Environment Programme
International Union for Conservation of Nature
World Wide Fund for Nature
Greenpeace International
Answer: a) United Nations Environment Programme
Explanation:
In NEWS: Adaptation Gap Report 2020
- The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2020 finds that while nations have advanced in planning, huge gaps remain in finance for developing countries and bringing adaptation projects to the stage where they bring real protection against climate impacts such as droughts, floods and sea-level rise.
- The nature-based solutions (NbS) can be low cost options that are potentially effective in reducing climate risks, while simultaneously bringing important additional benefits for the economy, environment and livelihoods.
- At least 50 per cent of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans specifically emphasize the potential and importance of NbS in addressing the vulnerability of species and ecosystems to climate change.
- The investments by four major climate and development funds (the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund and the International Climate Initiative) suggests that support for green and hybrid adaptation solutions has risen considerably.
About Adaptation Gap Report (AGR)
- UNEP produced the first AGR for the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) in Lima in 2014.
- It was launched in response to requests by UNFCCC Parties for an assessment on adaptation, complementary to the annual Emissions Gap Report.
- The first report proposed a definition of the adaptation gap as the difference between actually implemented adaptation and a societally set goal.
- It provided a preliminary framework for assessing adaptation gaps and proposed three dimensions: the funding gap, the technology gap and the knowledge gap.
Source: https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/adaptation-gap-report-2020
In which state Nagi-Nakti bird sanctuary is located at?
Nagaland
Rajasthan
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
Answer: d) Bihar
Explanation:
In NEWS: 1st bird festival at Nagi- Nakti bird sanctuaries in Bihar to start from Jan 15
- Bihar’s first state-level bird festival ‘Kalrav’ will be held at the world famous Nagi-Nakti bird sanctuaries in the Jamui district from January 15. The three –day event is expected to draw experts and bird lovers from all over the country.
- The Nagi- Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been the home of a wide variety of indigenous species of birds and of migratory birds that turn up during the winters from places like Eurasia, Central Asia, the Arctic Circle, Russia and Northern China.
- Over 136 species of birds have been spotted at these sanctuaries. Not just that, around 1,600 bar-headed geese, which is about 3% of the global population of this variety, have been seen here, as per a report of the Wetlands International and because of this rare phenomenon, the Birdlife International, a global body, has held the Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary to be globally important for conservation of birds’ population and has declared it as an important bird area.
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the’ context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
G2O
ASEAN
SCO
SAARC
Answer: (b) ASEAN
Explanation:
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement among ASEAN + Six FTA Partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand): Based on the Declaration of the Leaders during the ASEAN Summit in November 2012, negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership between the 10 ASEAN member states and its six FTA partners commenced in May 2013. Hence option (b) is correct
