.Consider the following statements regarding National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
1.It is a statutory Board constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
2.It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
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: Conservation centres in 5 states among host of ideas to protect vultures
The National Board for Wildlife approved an action plan for vultures recently
About National board of Wildlife
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory Board constituted on 22nd September 2003 under Section 5 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is the apex body tasked with according permissions to allow forest land to be diverted for industrial development,
- The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The NBWL has 47 members including the Chairman.
Functions
- No construction of commercial lodges, hotels shall be undertaken except with the prior approval of the National Board.
- No alteration of the boundaries of a National Park except on a recommendation of the National Board.
- No destruction, removal of wildlife or forest produce from a National Park or diversion of habitat unless the State Government in consultation with the National Board authorizes the issue of such permit.
- Ensure Tiger Reserves and areas linking one protected area with another are not diverted for ecologically unsustainable uses except in public interest and with the approval of the National Board.
- No alteration or denotification of Tiger Reserves without the approval of the National Board for Wildlife.
Which of the following protected vultures in India are listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN?
1.Oriental white-backed vulture
2.Sender-billed vulture
3.Egyptian vulture
4.Long-billed vulture
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Conservation centres in 5 states among host of ideas to protect vultures
- Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get a vulture conservation and breeding centre each, according to the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025.
- The plan has also suggested that new veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) be tested on vultures before their commercial release. NSAIDS often poisons cattle whose carcasses the birds prey
- The action plan was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) October 5, 2020, its minutes showed. An earlier one was formulated in 2006 for three years.
- The new plan has laid out strategies and actions to stem the decline in vulture population, especially of the three Gyps species:
- Oriental white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
- Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
- Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus)
Vulture Population in India
- India is home to nine vulture species namely; Griffon Vulture, Indian Vulture (long-billed vulture), Himalayan Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Slender-Billed Vulture, White-Backed Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Red-Headed Vulture.
- Out of nine vulture species in India, white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, slender-billed vulture and red-headed vulture are listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN. Hence option (d) is correct
- The IUCN status of other vulture species in India:
- Egyptian vulture – Endangered
- Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous vulture and Cinereous vulture – Near Threatened
- Griffon Vulture – Least Concern
- All the nine species of vultures in India are listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife protection Act, 1972.
Consider the following statements regarding Hunter Committee of 1919
1..It did not impose any penal or disciplinary action against General Dyer.
2.It was appointed by the Secretary of State for India Edwin Montagu.
3.No Indian members present in the committee.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: From the Archives (October 23, 1920): Wilful murder (From an editorial)
- In October 1919 the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, ordered the formation of a committee of inquiry into the events in Punjab. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Referred to as the Disorders Inquiry Committee, it was later more widely known as the Hunter Commission
- The committee was commonly known as Hunter Commission after the name of chairman, Lord William Hunter. The committee also had Indian representation with the membership of Pandit Jagat Narayan, (Member of Legislative Council, United Provinces), Sardar Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Khan (Gwalior State lawyer) and Sir Chimanlal Harilal Setalvad, (Vice-Chancellor, Bombay University). Hence statement 3 is incorrect
- The majority of the members reprimanded General Dyer for a ‘mistaken concept of duty’ with respect to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It concluded that the gathering was not the result of a conspiracy by Indians. However, martial law declared in Punjab was justified.
- In the final report submitted in March 1920, the committee unanimously condemned Dyer’s actions.
- However, the Hunter Committee did not impose any penal or disciplinary action against General Dyer. Hence statement 1 is correct
Sometimes the term Blue Dot Network, is recently seen in news, is a global alliance for
1.Cyber security
2.Artificial intelligence
3.Deep ocean mission
4.Infrastructure development
Answer: (d) Infrastructure Development
Explanation:
In NEWS: Bipartisan Senate letter backs India’s inclusion of Australia in Malabar naval exercise
- A bipartisan group of influential American Senators on Tuesday welcomed India’s decision to invite Australia for the annual Malabar naval exercise involving Japan and the United States.
- In a significant move that comes amid a Sino-India border row, India announced Australia”s participation in the upcoming Malabar exercise along with the US and Japan, effectively making it the first military-level engagement between the four-member nation grouping — the Quad.
- A group of US Senators has written to India asking to join the Blue Dot Network.
About Blue Dot Network
- Blue Dot is a US-led collaboration with Australia and Japan that supports private-sector-led infrastructure financing opportunities in response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Hence option (d) is correct
- It was formally announced on 4 November 2019 at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit.
- It is led by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.
- It is expected to serve as a global evaluation and certification system for roads, ports and bridges with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
Consider the following statements regarding National Medicinal Plants Board
1.It works under the Ministry of AYUSH.
2.It aims to development of medicinal plants sector through developing strong coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organization for implementation of policies on medicinal plants
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: Inauguration of Regional Raw Drug Repository of National Medicinal Plants Board at AIIA, New Delhi
- The Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the Regional Raw Drug Repository (RRDR) at All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi through a virtual function. This RRDR is the second in the series of repositories proposed by National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH and will be dedicated to the Trans-Ganga Plain Region.
About National Medicinal Plants Board:
- The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was set up in November
- The board works under the Ministry of AYUSH. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Aim: Development of medicinal plants sector through developing strong coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organization for implementation of policies/programs on medicinal plants. Hence statement 2 is correct
- NMPB has released a protocol titled “Standard protocol for Quality assessment of Raw Medicinal Plants Material on the basis of Rasa”.
Functions:
- Advise concerned Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations/ State/ UT Governments on policy matters relating to schemes and programs for the development of medicinal plants.
- Assessment of demand/supply position relating to medicinal plants both within the country and abroad.
- Identification, Inventorisation and Quantification of medicinal plants.
- Promotion of in-situ / ex-situ conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants.
- Promotion of co-operative efforts among collectors and growers and assisting them to store, transport and market their produce effectively.
- Setting up of a data-base system for incentivisation, dissemination of information and facilitating the prevention of Patents being obtained for medicinal use of plants which is in the public domain.
- Undertaking and awarding Scientific, Technological research and cost-effectiveness studies.
- Encouraging the protection of patent rights and IPR.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1666814
Consider the following statements regarding Life in Miniature project
1.It is a collaboration between the National Museum, New Delhi under the Ministry of Culture, and Google Arts & Culture.
2.It uses technologies like machine learning, augmented reality and digitization with high-definition robotic cameras and to showcase these special works of art in a magical new way.
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: National Museum’s miniature paintings on Google Arts & Culture app
- Hundreds of miniature paintings from the National Museum’s collections can now be seen through the Google Arts & Culture app
- It is a collaboration between the National Museum, Ministry of Culture, and Google Arts & Culture. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The project will enable online viewing of several hundred miniature paintings (like the Ramayana, Royal Saga, Pahari style paintings) from the National Museum, New Delhi on Google Arts & Culture by people around the world.
- The project uses technologies like machine learning, augmented reality and digitization with high-definition robotic cameras, to showcase these special works of art in a magical new way. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The project emphasizes upon the importance of the Digital India initiative and the role of technology in the preservation of India’s heritage.
Which of the following committees was formed to develop a platform that will help migrant workers who have lost their jobs during lock down to find better employment opportunities?
1.Amitabh Kant committee
2.Justice A.K Mathur Committee
3.Y B Reddy Committee
4.Bimal Jalan Committee
Answer: (a) Amitabh Kant committee
Explanation:
In NEWS: NITI Aayog panel for reforms in urban planning education
- The 14-member advisory committee, headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar, will review the urban planning education system in India and examine the availability, demand and supply of qualified urban planners in the country.
- The panel will review the urban planning education system and examine the availability, supply and demand of qualified urban planners in India. It will review the current system in terms of curriculum, multi-disciplinary and other issues at post graduate and graduate levels.
- This committee was formed by NITI Aayog in June 2020. The committee is formed of top executives of technology companies such as Google, Tech Mahindra and Microsoft. The committee was formed to develop a platform that will help migrant workers who have lost their jobs during lock down to find better employment opportunities. Hence option (a) is correct
- Urban Planning Education is a practice of learning and teaching urban theory, professional practices and studies. It involves interaction between professional planners, public officials on the planning Formal education of urban planning is provided as a degree in city, urban or regional planning.
Bum La Pass, sometimes seen in news, is a border pass between
1.China and Bhutan
2.India and China
3.Nepal and India
4.India and Tibet
Answer: (d) India and Tibet
Explanation:
In NEWS: Arunachal Pradesh builds a war memorial at Bum La
- A war memorial has come up at BumLa in Arunachal Pradesh. Joginder Singh of 1st Battalion the Sikh Regt received the highest gallantry award, ‘Param Vir Chakra’ in the Eastern Theatre during the 1962 Sino- India War.
- Indian Army organised the Inauguration Ceremony of Joginder War Memorial at Bum La on October 23 coinciding with the day on which the Battle of Tongpen La (Bum La) took place in 1962.
About Bum La Pass
- It is a border pass between Tibet’s Cona County and India’s Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Hence option (d) is correct
- It is mandatory to take permissionfrom the Indian Army to reach the pass.
- The pass currently serves as atrading point between Tawang and Tibet.
- It is the same place where one of the battles of the Sino-Indian War took placein the year 1962.
- It is an agreed Border Personnel Meeting pointfor the security forces of China and India.
Which of the following indicators are used to calculate the Global Hunger Index?
1.The proportion of undernourished in a population.
2.The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting (less weight in proportion to their height).
3.The proportion of children under five suffering from stunting (low height in proportion to their age).
4.The mortality rate of children under five.
Select the correct options from the given below codes
- 1 and 2 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1,2,3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4
Explanation:
In NEWS: Global Hunger Index: Why is India trailing?
- India ranked 94 in global hunger index 2020 among 107 countries
- The GHI 2020 report has placed India 94thposition among 107 countries, much behind Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. The situation is grim and the country is battling widespread hunger
- GHI is based on four indicators: Hence option (d) is correct
- The proportion of undernourished in a population
- The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting (less weight in proportion to their height)
- The proportion of children under five suffering from stunting (low height in proportion to their age)
- The mortality rate of children under five
- The GHI score is determined on a 100-point scale based on these four parameters. Countries with scores within the range 20-34.9 are considered to be grappling with acute hunger. High-income countries and those with very low populations were excluded from evaluation.
- At the time of the release of the GHI 2019 report, the country had a food stock of more than 68 million tonnes (excluding un-milled paddy) in the central pool stored at different warehouses of Food Corporation of India.
- Till September 2020, the food stock went up to 70 million tonnes (excluding un-milled paddy), which is enough to ensure that no one went hungry
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 is in place to ensure food security for the most vulnerable communities. Ration distribution through fair price shops, mid-day meal programmes at schools, nutrition and maternity benefit programmes for children and pregnant mothers at anganwadisfall within the Act.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/food/global-hunger-index-why-is-india-trailing–73920
Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?
1.Arasavalli
2.Amarkantak
3.Omkareshwar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
The Sun Temple is situated in Arasavalli Village in Andhra Pradesh. Sun temples are not located in Amarkantak and Omkareshwar. Hence option (a) is correct
