Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
“Groundwater: A Valuable but Diminishing Resource” Report was released by the Standing Committee on Water Resources.
The report noted that wide cultivation of water guzzler paddy and sugarcane crops were the main reason for the excessive exploitation of groundwater. Over exploitation of groundwater for irrigation has become a major challenge in Punjab and Haryana.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to notify Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the 18thwildlife sanctuary in the state.
The Sanctuary will span 80,567 hectares in Erode district and will be the 18th Wildlife Sanctuary in the State.

Notes:
On 20th March every year, the world celebrates World Happiness Day led by the United Nations.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network releases an annual report named World Happiness Report. According to the report, ‘life evaluations have continued to be remarkably resilient’. The theme of this year’s International Day of Happiness is ‘Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind’.

Notes:
US’ 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices was published recently by the US State Department.
According to this report, India is facing human rights issues such as “targeting of religious minorities”, “gender-based violence”, “persecution of journalists” and “restrictions on freedom of expression”.

Notes:
Poly-herbal Ayurvedic drug Ayush-64, which was repurposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is used for treating illnesses such as influenza.
A new study has recently found that the drug is efficacious, well-tolerated, and safe. The drug in combination with the standard of care, hastened recovery, reduced hospitalisation, and improved health among Covid-19 cases.

Notes:
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai is a research institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
NCSCM was set up in 2011 as a research institute to support the conservation, protection, restoration, and management of Indian coasts. The first General Body Meeting of NCSCM was held recently.

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh Mediapersons Protection Bill 2023 was passed by the state assembly. Its aim is to give protection for media persons and prevent violence against them.
The opposition MLAs demanded that the Bill be sent to the Select Committee of the Assembly for examination, which was rejected by Speaker Charandas Mahant.

Notes:
Exercise Konkan 2023 is a bilateral maritime exercise between the UK’s Royal Navy and the Indian Navy.
It is held in March this year off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea. INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, and HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 guided missile frigate of the Royal Navy, participated in this edition of the exercise.

Notes:
Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate-AIM4C) was launched by the UAE and the US at Conference of Parties-26. India recently joined this grouping in 2023.
AIM4C is a global partnership that aims to accelerate investment and support for climate-smart agriculture & food systems innovation.

Notes:
Gaj Utsav 2023 will be organized by the Indian Government to mark 30-year celebration of Project Elephant. It will be inaugurated by President of India on April 7.
Gaj Utsav 2023 will be held at Kaziranga National Park by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.