Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Mass vaccination of stray dogs has begun around Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh to prevent the spread of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) in wild animals. Panna Tiger Reserve is located in the Vindhyan mountain range, Madhya Pradesh. It is the only Tiger Reserve in Bundelkhand, declared in 1994 as a Project Tiger Reserve. The reserve has a ‘Table Top’ topography with plateaus and gorges, and the Ken River flows through it.

Notes:
Typhoon Man-yi was among six major storms to hit northern Philippines in a month. It had powerful winds reaching 195 km/h (125 mph) and struck Catanduanes province. The typhoon left at least three villagers missing, destroyed houses, and caused widespread power outages. Entire towns lost power, and many villagers were displaced. Man-yi worsened the crisis already caused by five earlier storms.

Notes:
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to highlight India’s microbial potential. The initiative focuses on unique bacterial species critical to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), it aims to release fully annotated bacteriological genomes to the public. The initiative will include graphical summaries, infographics, and genome details. It makes microbial genomics data accessible to the public and researchers, fostering discussions and innovations benefiting the community and ecosystem.

Notes:
The Sagarmanthan forum, South Asia’s largest maritime event, held in New Delhi and was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). This forum aims to promote knowledge sharing to transform the blue economy while emphasizing inclusive growth and sustainable practices. It focuses on creating a resilient maritime future through actionable insights, reflecting India’s commitment to advancing the global maritime sector.

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:
The Assam cabinet has renamed Karimganj as Sribhumi District to reflect its cultural heritage, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s description of the area over a century ago. This change aims to restore the historical identity of the region and fulfill the aspirations of its residents. Additionally, the cabinet approved various initiatives to boost investment and infrastructure development in Assam, including the upcoming Assam Investment and Infrastructure Summit in 2025.

Notes:
The Australian government has introduced a bill that aims to ban social media access for children under 16 years of age. This legislation requires platforms like TikTok and Facebook to implement age verification measures. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for social media companies to take responsibility for user safety, citing concerns about the mental health impacts on children. This reform is seen as one of the strictest globally regarding social media access for minors.

Notes:
A recent fish kill in Ashtamudi Lake highlights issues like sewage contamination, plastic pollution, encroachments, and uncontrolled weed growth. Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar wetland in Kerala’s Kollam district, is the state’s second-largest lake. Its name means “Eight Braids” in Malayalam, reflecting its palm-shaped topography with eight channels. The lake connects to the sea via the Neendakara estuary and is primarily fed by the Kallada River. Historically significant, it was a major port in the 14th century, as noted by explorer Ibn Battuta. The region hosts diverse mangroves, including endangered species Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.

Notes:
Tripura Forest Department detained an autorickshaw driver near Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary for alleged deer poaching involvement. Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, in South Tripura, spans 197.7 sq. km and was established in 1988. The sanctuary features Tropical Semi Evergreen, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, and Savanna woodland. It has perennial water rivulets, water bodies, and grasslands.

Notes:
The “Ab Koi Bahana Nahi” campaign, initiated on November 25, aims to eliminate gender-based violence in India. It is a collaborative effort involving the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development, supported by UN Women. Coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the campaign underscores a national zero-tolerance stance and calls for accountability from all stakeholders, emphasizing the urgent need for action against violence towards women and girls.