Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Panje Wetland in Navi Mumbai, a 289-hectare site, has dried up due to blocked tidal flow, despite state orders to maintain it. It is located in Uran taluka, Maharashtra. Panje is a major migratory bird site and one of the best birding locations in the state. It hosts 50 bird species, with around 30 migratory species like flamingos, Northern Pintail, and Ruddy Turnstone. The wetland supports local fishing communities, who are now facing diminishing resources due to its drying.

Notes:
n response to rising criminal activities, including shootings, Delhi Police launched Operation Kawach, a targeted crackdown on gangs, drug traffickers, and organized crime. Operation Kawach, launched by Delhi Police in May 2023, targets rising drug trafficking and abuse in Delhi. It is a broad initiative aimed at enhancing safety and combating drug-related issues in the capital. Additionally, Operation Kawach is also an Indian Armed Forces initiative focused on strengthening security along India’s northeastern front, especially at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Notes:
Researchers recently discovered the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands are a Pacific archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands, with six main islands and over 900 smaller ones, covering 461,000 sq.km. It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It borders Vanuatu to the southeast and Papua New Guinea to the west. The terrain is mostly mountainous with forests, and the capital, Honiara, is on the largest island, Guadalcanal.

Notes:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (IOC-UNESCO) recognized 24 tsunami-prone coastal villages in Odisha’s six districts as Tsunami Ready at the 2nd Global Tsunami Symposium in Indonesia. The six coastal districts are Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam. Recognition was based on verification by the National Tsunami Ready Recognition Board (NTRB), with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) scientists and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officers. The UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP) aims to enhance tsunami resilience in coastal communities globally. TRRP promotes awareness and preparedness to protect lives, livelihoods, and property from tsunamis. It uses 12 preparedness indicators for consistent evaluation, and the recognition is renewable every four years.

Notes:
The Cao Bang crocodile newt, or Tylototriton koliaensis, is a newly discovered species found in Vietnam. It inhabits mountainous forests at elevations over 3,300 feet, experiencing both dry and rainy seasons. These medium-sized newts are around 5 inches long, with stout, rough bodies and crocodile-like, knobby skin. They are entirely black, with bright orange markings on their fingertips, toes, and an orange stripe down the center of their gray belly and tail. They breed in slow-moving streams or pools in the rainy season and hide under rocks during winter. Known as “crocodile newts” for their textured skin, they belong to a genus of Asian salamanders.

Notes:
Nigeria awarded PM Narendra Modi the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during his first official visit. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised PM Modi’s commitment to democratic values and success in India. Previously, Queen Elizabeth was the only foreign dignitary to receive this Nigerian honor in 1969. Dominica also announced its highest honor, the ‘Dominica Award of Honour,’ for PM Modi for his support during the Covid-19 pandemic. PM Modi will receive the award in Guyana during the India-CARICOM Summit. With these awards, PM Modi’s total civilian honors reach 17, reflecting India’s rising global influence.

Notes:
According to a recent report by Climate TRACE, Shanghai is the city that emits the most greenhouse gases, producing 256 million metric tons annually. This is more than the emissions of countries like Colombia or Norway. Climate TRACE is an emissions tracking organization that provides insights into global emissions and helps identify opportunities to reduce pollutants.

Notes:
The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh recently welcomed a young male tiger, marking the first tiger sighting in nearly 40 years. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi flow through the sanctuary, with Balamdehi River forming its western boundary and Jonk River its northeastern boundary. The area, spanning 244.66 sq. km, has a sufficient prey base and water availability, but challenges remain in protecting the sanctuary from poachers and ensuring a stable food cycle for the tigers.

Notes:
Coal India Limited (CIL) received the Green World Environment Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category and the title of Green World Ambassador. The award recognizes CIL’s exemplary CSR work through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, providing curative treatment for over 600 Thalassemia patients via stem cell or Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT). Launched in 2017, it was the first CSR project by a PSU for Thalassemia treatment in India. Financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh is provided per patient under the scheme. CIL partners with 17 leading hospitals across India for the initiative.

Notes:
Nafithromycin, developed by Wockhardt with support from BIRAC, is India’s first indigenously produced antibiotic targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and is ten times more effective than azithromycin. This significant breakthrough follows 14 years of research and aims to address the global health crisis of AMR, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually. The drug awaits final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for public use.