Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
El Cajas National Park in Ecuador’s highlands near Cuenca is severely affected by wildfires due to a prolonged drought. The Ecuadorian government declared a 60-day national emergency to combat forest fires threatening the park’s ecology and water resources. The park spans 285.44 km², with altitudes ranging from 3100m to 4450m, and was declared a National Park on November 5, 1996. It features páramo vegetation, jagged hills, valleys, and 270 lakes, with Luspa as the largest. Rivers Tomebamba and Yanuncay originate here, feeding the Amazon Basin and draining to the Pacific.

Notes:
SpaceX’s Starship, standing at nearly 400 feet, is the world’s most powerful rocket. It recently underwent its sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. The mission aimed to achieve a booster catch attempt, but automated health checks aborted it. Despite this, the Starship successfully ignited its Raptor engines in space, marking a significant milestone for future lunar and Martian missions as part of NASA’s Artemis initiative, which plans to utilize Starship as a lunar lander by 2026.

Notes:
The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.

Notes:
India and Sweden co-chaired the 6th Annual Summit of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) in Baku, Azerbaijan, during COP29. LeadIT was launched in September 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. LeadIT2.0, launched at COP28 in 2023, sets new targets for 2024-26. The summit was co-chaired by India’s Kirit Vardhan Singh and Sweden’s Romina Pourmokhtari. Attended by 41 member countries and various stakeholders from industry and academia. LeadIT, supported by the World Economic Forum, targets carbon emissions reduction in energy-intensive industries to achieve net zero by 2050.

Notes:
Prasar Bharati has launched a new OTT app called ‘Waves’ to meet India’s growing streaming demand. The app offers live TV, on-demand content (movies, shows, ebooks), live events (religious programs, cricket), games for all age groups, and e-commerce options via the ONDC network. It features around 65 live channels, including private broadcasters. Waves aims to provide a comprehensive digital experience for Indian viewers across various entertainment and shopping needs.

Notes:
National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has entered the nano liquid urea production market. Nano Urea, developed and patented by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), provides nitrogen to plants through nanotechnology. It is the only nano fertilizer approved by the Indian government and included in the Fertilizer Control Order. Nano Urea has a particle size of 20-50 nm, offering more surface area and nitrogen particles than conventional urea. It is energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and reduces nitrogen loss to the atmosphere.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Power recently visited Nimoo Bazgo Power Station in Ladakh. It is located in Leh district, Ladakh. This hydropower project operates at high altitudes and challenging terrain. It is developed and operated by NHPC Limited with an installed capacity of 45 MW. The station uses the Indus River’s flow, ensuring eco-friendly and renewable energy generation. It supports Ladakh’s rapid development by providing stable green energy for residential and commercial use. Through CSR initiatives, the station promotes community development, infrastructure improvements, skill development, and environmental conservation.

Notes:
South Africa declared food-borne illnesses a national disaster after a rise in food poisoning cases. Nearly 900 cases and 22 child deaths were reported since September, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal most affected. Minister Thembi Simelane announced the declaration in Pretoria, urging adherence to food safety laws. Tuck shops are required to re-register, and local authorities must follow disaster management protocols. The government emphasizes proper waste disposal, recycling, and tackling rat infestations linked to food safety issues.

Notes:
The Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the 42nd amendment, which added ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ to the Preamble during the Emergency in 1976. The court stated these terms have gained widespread acceptance and clarified that the Parliament’s power under Article 368 allows for amendments, including those to the Preamble. The ruling emphasized that the Constitution is a living document, reflecting the evolving interpretation of these concepts in Indian society.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard hosted SAREX-24 in Kochi from November 27-30, 2024, under the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board. The event aims to validate the National Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) framework through an inclusive, collaborative approach. It addresses India’s vast 4.6 million sq km Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), emphasizing cooperation with agencies, littorals, and friendly nations. The focus will be on Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) during large-scale sea contingencies. The theme, “Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional Collaboration,” highlights ICG’s dedication to providing aid across ISRR.