Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency will be India’s first IGBC-certified zoo for sustainable infrastructure. It is located in the Bankhandi area of Kangra. The park will have 34 enclosures featuring 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds. With a budget of ₹619 crore, it focuses on eco-friendly design. The zoo aims to boost tourism, create jobs, and promote eco-tourism, enhancing Kangra’s status as Himachal Pradesh’s “Tourism Capital.”

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a heatwave as a State-specific disaster to provide relief and compensation for heat-related casualties. Interim actions will be taken to manage the heat, funded by the State Disaster Response Fund. A heat wave is defined as a period of abnormally high temperatures above the normal maximum. In India, heat waves usually occur from March to June and can extend into July. On average, five to six heat wave events happen annually in northern India. A heat wave is considered if temperatures reach 40°C or more in plains and 30°C or more in hilly areas. Severe heat waves are classified by greater temperature deviations or higher maximum temperatures.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal criticized three district magistrates in Uttar Pradesh and the state’s pollution control board for carelessly approving mining in the Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is India’s first freshwater turtle sanctuary, covering a 7 km stretch of the Ganga River. The sanctuary was created to protect turtles, which were released to help naturally decompose half-burnt human remains in the Ganga as part of the Ganga Action Plan. Turtle hatchlings are bred in Sarnath, with 2,000 eggs brought annually from Chambal and Yamuna rivers. The sanctuary also hosts Gangetic Dolphins, diverse turtles, and fish species like Rohu and Tengra.

Notes:
Meluri, home to the Pochury Naga tribe, is now the 17th district of Nagaland. The state government has elevated Meluri Sub-Division from Phek District to a full district, effective immediately. Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam issued the official notification on November 2. The new district will include the area previously known as Meluri Sub-Division. This decision aims to enhance governance and development in the region, following Cabinet approval on November 1.

Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Abhay Prabhavana Museum in Pune, India’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy and heritage. Set on 50 acres along the Indrayani river, it features 30 galleries showcasing the essence of Jain philosophy through interactive exhibits, artworks, and advanced technology. The museum aims to attract over 2,000 visitors daily and will include a separate children’s section to simplify complex concepts, making it a global cultural landmark.

Notes:
India’s Tanushree Pandey won a silver medal at the World Soft Tennis Championship in Jingshan, China. She narrowly lost the Under-21 Women’s Singles final to Chiang Min Yu of Chinese Taipei, with a score of 3-4. In the semifinal, Tanushree won a close match against her Japanese opponent, 4-3. She also defeated a Chinese player in the quarterfinal with the same scoreline of 4-3.

Notes:
Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, known as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ passed away at 72 on 5 November 2024. She was suffering from multiple myeloma and died at AIIMS, New Delhi, on the first day of Chhath Puja. Sinha was celebrated for her Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi songs, especially for Chhath Puja and Vivah Geet, which resonated widely in Bihar. She received the Padma Bhushan (2018), Padma Shri (1991), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Notes:
The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is observed annually on November 6. Established by the UNGA in 2001, it draws attention to the often-overlooked impacts of armed conflicts on ecosystems, natural resources, and local communities’ health. The day emphasizes the need for world leaders to incorporate environmental concerns across all phases of conflict, including prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction, to mitigate the lasting environmental consequences of war.

Notes:
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Russia and Iran are strengthening ties in defense, technology, and energy, aiming for a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Despite accusations of Iran supplying drones to Russia for Ukraine, both countries deny this. Kowsar is for Earth observation, supporting environmental monitoring and agriculture. Hodhod aims to gather data to boost Iran’s private space sector. The launch is part of Iran’s national space expansion, following satellites Khayyam and Pars-1 in 2022 and 2023.

Notes:
Zimbabwe launched its second satellite, ZIMSAT-2, marking a major step in its space program. ZIMSAT-2, a low Earth observation satellite, was launched from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome in a collaboration with ZINGSA and Southwest State University. The satellite is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral camera for agriculture, resource exploration, and environmental monitoring.