Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested a response from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) regarding the deteriorating condition of Varkala cliff, a national geo-heritage site. It is located in Varkala, Kerala. The cliff stretches 3 km and exposes sedimentary rocks from the Mio-Pliocene Age (13 lakh to 2.5 crore years ago). Varkala is the only place on India’s west coast where these ancient sediments are visible. The cliff towers up to 80 meters and is home to the Papanasam Beach, known for its therapeutic springs. It supports local biodiversity and is essential for coastal aquifers and fishing communities.

Notes:
Ningol Chakouba, a festival of the Meitei community in Manipur, was celebrated near Moodbidri. The event was organized by Alva’s Education Foundation with participation from Northeast students. It highlights and preserves the Meitei community’s rich cultural heritage. The festival symbolizes the bond between mothers, daughters, brothers, and sisters, emphasizing women’s importance in Manipuri society and strengthening family ties.

Notes:
National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 in India. It commemorates the lives lost in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and raises awareness about pollution. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on December 2, 1984, due to a methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The incident killed around 2,259 people immediately, with fatalities rising to 25,000 over time, as per government reports. Around 500,000 people suffered severe health issues, including respiratory and reproductive problems, blindness, and nervous system diseases.

Notes:
India presented the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP) at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The project is inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall. It aims to combat desertification from the Thar Desert to northern India. The project covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, aiming to restore 1.15 million hectares by 2027. It focuses on mitigating soil degradation, erosion, and drought, and rejuvenating 75 water bodies. A 1,400 km long green belt will be created along the Aravalli Range using indigenous afforestation and advanced water management. The project promotes community involvement and green employment.

Notes:
The Indian government has decided to revise the base year for GDP calculation from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This change, announced by Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, aims to reflect structural economic changes and ensure accurate economic data. The advisory committee, ACNAS, comprising members from the Reserve Bank of India, state governments, and academia, will assist in this revision, expected to be completed by early 2026. Regular updates align with international practices for economic data collection.

Notes:
The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to ensure the resilience of submarine cables, vital for the global digital economy. The body consists of 40 members, including ministers, regulators, and telecom experts, representing diverse global perspectives. It will meet bi-annually to discuss international policies, infrastructure, and best practices. The body aims to promote best practices, reduce risks of cable damage, and ensure swift repairs and deployment. It addresses challenges like increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and environmental threats, benefiting livelihoods and industries reliant on submarine cables.

Notes:
The Business for Land Forum, held during COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, focused on sustainable land solutions and resilience-building. The Business 4 Land Initiative (B4L) was launched by UNCCD, a legally binding global agreement. B4L aims to involve private sector actors in sustainable land management strategies. It is supported by the World Economic Forum, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Fibre Alliance. B4L raises awareness about sustainable land management, encourages business commitments to land restoration, and fosters collaboration among businesses, governments, and civil society.

Notes:
China launched the world’s first self-driving satellites, Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, marking a milestone in its commercial space program. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), these satellites can autonomously adjust their flight paths without ground control. They feature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-precision radar, allowing them to return to orbit with 100-meter accuracy and perform formation-flying at sub-meter precision. The satellites will provide all-weather radar imagery for industries like natural resource management, disaster response, agriculture monitoring, and urban safety.

Notes:
The State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) in Kerala recommended urgent projects to stop illegal biowaste and faecal sludge discharge into Ashtamudi Lake. Preliminary findings show excessive algae blooms caused by biowaste and septage pollution. Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar site in Kollam, Kerala, is vital to the backwater ecosystem and spans 170 sq km with an eight-armed shape. The lake is fed by the Kallada River and drains into the Arabian Sea. It has historical significance as a trade hub and is renowned for its traditional coir industry.

Notes:
The Hornbill Festival, celebrated annually since 2000 in Nagaland, marks its 25th year. Named after the Hornbill bird, symbolizing boldness in Naga folklore, it takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, showcasing 17 indigenous houses representing Nagaland’s tribes. The festival promotes inter-tribal interaction, preserving the state’s rich heritage. Nagaland, known as the “Land of Festivals,” is home to 17 major tribes, each with its unique traditions. The festival highlights India’s unity in diversity, where diverse cultural practices coexist, strengthening the nation’s identity.