Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
Wular Lake is gradually being filled with silt from streams flowing in from surrounding mountains. It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second-largest in Asia, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipore district. Fed by the Jhelum River, it sits at an altitude of 1,580 meters near Haramuk Mountain, covering 200 square kilometers. Formed by tectonic activity and a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake, it features a central island called ‘Zaina Lank,’ built by King Zainul-Abi-Din. Designated a Ramsar Wetland in 1990, it supports diverse bird species and is crucial for fish production in the state.

Notes:
Researchers from the University of Chile found that Chile’s Atacama Salt Flat is sinking due to lithium brine extraction. The Atacama Salt Flat, or Salar de Atacama, is the largest salt deposit in Chile. It features a white surface with a large salt lake beneath it. The lake under the salt flat holds one of the world’s largest lithium reserves. Located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, the northern part of the basin includes the San Pedro River delta.

Notes:
The Ministry of Education defined ‘literacy’ and ‘full literacy’ under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). NILP aims to promote literacy among people aged 15 and above across India. It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a budget of Rs. 1037.90 crore for 2022-2027. The goal is to onboard one crore learners annually. NILP has five components: foundational literacy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education. Beneficiaries are identified through door-to-door surveys and mobile app registration. The scheme relies on volunteers for teaching and uses online resources on the DIKSHA platform.

Notes:
The 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) took place in Singapore on August 26, 2024, to strengthen strategic ties. The first ISMR was held in New Delhi in September 2022. ISMR is a high-level platform to discuss bilateral relationships and set future agendas. Four Indian ministers, including Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, and six Singaporean ministers attended the meeting. The 2nd ISMR reviewed progress since the first meeting and focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors. Discussions included digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.

Notes:
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) organizes World Water Week annually, and has been doing so since 1991. The 2024 event will take place from August 25–29, both online and in-person at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. The theme for 2024 is “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”. World Water Week is a leading conference that focuses on global water issues, and brings together a diverse group of people from around the world, including decision-makers, business leaders, city planners, activists, and researchers.

Notes:
The Appointment Committee of the Union Cabinet approved the appointment of senior IPS officer B. Srinivasan as the new Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) on August 27, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance. B. Srinivasan replaced CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh, who temporarily led the NSG. Srinivasan’s term as NSG Director General will last until his retirement on August 31, 2027. A 1992 batch IPS officer from the Bihar Cadre, Srinivasan currently directs the Bihar Police Academy. The NSG, established in 1986, is an elite counter-terrorism force under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Notes:
Tiger ST-2303 has moved from Sariska Tiger Reserve to Jhabua forests in Rewari, Haryana. Jhabua forest is rich in prey like nilgai and wild boar, providing the tiger with abundant food and dense cover, making relocation difficult. The tiger’s presence near villages has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict. Forest officials are working with Rajasthan authorities to safely return the tiger to Sariska. The Sariska Tiger Foundation has requested the Union Environment Minister to ensure the tiger’s return to its original habitat, emphasizing the need to protect wildlife corridors for future tiger migrations.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government has declared 1,500 geoglyphs across 70 locations in Ratnagiri district as a ‘protected monument’. Geoglyphs are large designs drawn on the earth, typically using stones, gravel, or earth. They are often more than four meters long and best viewed from the sky. There are two types: positive geoglyphs, created by arranging materials on the ground, and negative geoglyphs, formed by removing part of the ground surface. Variations include arborglyphs, made by planting specific designs, and ‘chalk giants,’ carved into hillsides to expose bedrock.

Notes:
Shannon Gabriel, a West Indies fast bowler, announced his retirement from international cricket. Gabriel began his international career in 2012. He played in 59 Test matches, 25 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two T20 Internationals, taking a total of 202 wickets. He found more success in Test cricket and became a regular in the West Indies team by 2017. In 2019, Gabriel was banned for four ODIs due to a homophobic remark against Joe Root. His last appearance for West Indies was in a Test match against India in July 2023. He plays for Trinidad and Tobago in domestic cricket.

Notes:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the Voluntary Vehicle Modernization Program, also known as the Vehicle Scrapping Policy. The policy focuses on the voluntary scrapping of commercial and passenger vehicles that are deemed unfit based on their condition, regardless of their age. It aims to phase out polluting vehicles through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities and Automated Testing Stations. For two years, commercial vehicle manufacturers will offer discounts, and for one year, passenger vehicle manufacturers will also provide discounts, given a Scrappage Certificate.