Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 19, 2025

Notes:
A faunal survey by the Forest Department in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve recorded 15 new species. The reserve is located in Kerala’s Palakkad and Thrissur districts and covers 391 sq. km. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2009 under Project Tiger. The Parambikulam, Sholayar, and Thekkady rivers flow through the reserve, supporting its biodiversity. The reserve is home to four tribal communities—Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, and Mala Malasar—living in six colonies within the protected area.

Notes:
India and the US plan to procure and co-produce Javelin anti-tank guided missiles for India’s defense needs. Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget missile designed to destroy heavily armored vehicles. It was developed by US defense companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The missile is effective against main battle tanks, lighter military vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and helicopters.

Notes:
A state of emergency has been declared on Greece’s Santorini, Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi due to a swarm of undersea earthquakes. An earthquake swarm occurs when multiple seismic events of similar intensity hit a small area in quick succession. These swarms often involve thousands of low-intensity quakes without a major shock over weeks. They commonly occur in active geothermal regions where seismic energy builds up and is released in small amounts.

Notes:
Environmentalists have raised concerns over rising pollution in the Souparnika River near Kollur Mookambika Temple. The river flows westward in Karnataka, originating from the Kodachadri Hills in the Western Ghats. It passes through Byndoor taluk and near the Mookambika Temple before reaching the Arabian Sea. The river is linked to Hindu mythology, named after Garuda (“Suparna”), who is believed to have performed penance on its banks.

Notes:
The Centre has extended the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme until 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission cycle. The scheme ensures fair prices for farmers and stabilizes essential commodity prices. Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the government procures pulses, oilseeds, and copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through Central Nodal Agencies. 100% procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur has been approved for 2024-25 to boost domestic production.