Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The forest department held its first ‘Cyclothon’ to celebrate World Wildlife Week 2024 at the Kawal Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone. Kawal Tiger Reserve is in north-eastern Telangana, along the Godavari River. It covers an area of 2,015 sq. km in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges. The government declared it a Tiger Reserve in 2012. The reserve features diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, rivers, and water bodies. It is part of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, connecting to Tadoba-Andhari in Maharashtra and Indravati in Chhattisgarh.

Notes:
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) takes place in New Delhi from October 14 to 24, 2024.
WTSA has been held every four years since 2002 and is the governing conference of the ITU Standardisation Sector. It defines the work program and structure of study groups for telecommunication standardization. Hosting WTSA 2024 is a significant milestone for India in setting global telecommunication standards. The event will start with the Global Standards Symposium (GSS) on October 14, 2024, focusing on ICT standardization policy debates.

Notes:
The first phase of the Second Army Commanders’ Conference for 2024 was held in a hybrid mode in Gangtok, Sikkim.
This two-day conference served as a forum for senior commanders to review operational preparedness, discuss strategies, and outline future directives. The second phase of the conference will take place in Delhi on October 28-29.

Notes:
Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and raise awareness about the humanitarian consequences of their use. The group, representing the Hibakusha, has played a crucial role in the global movement for nuclear disarmament since its founding in 1956. Their testimonies have significantly contributed to establishing a nuclear taboo, ensuring that nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945. This recognition highlights the ongoing challenges and pressures faced by the disarmament movement in the contemporary world.

Notes:
Bathukamma is a festival celebrated in the state of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is a floral festival that celebrates the beginning of the Sarad or Sharath Ruthu season. It is celebrated for nine days during Durga Navratri, usually in September or October. Bathukamma is a symbol of Telangana’s cultural identity and is celebrated with vibrant flowers, songs, and communal harmony.

Notes:
The Telangana government has started a comprehensive household caste survey to ensure fair resource distribution among all communities. This makes Telangana the third state to conduct a caste-based headcount, following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The survey aims to plan and implement various opportunities for the socio-economic and educational improvement of OBCs, SCs, STs, and other weaker sections. It focuses on enhancing employment and political opportunities for these communities in the state.

Notes:
The Union Minister inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra. This facility focuses on developing technology for producing Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic. Biopolymers are made from biological sources such as fats, vegetable oils, and sugars. They offer advantages over synthetic polymers, including biodegradability, allowing for easy decomposition by bacteria in soil. They also promote carbon neutrality since the CO2 released during their degradation can be reabsorbed by replacement crops.

Notes:
Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea renewed a cooperation agreement to jointly manage Campo-Ma’an National Park and Rio Campo National Park. These parks are key biodiversity hotspots and important carbon sinks. Campo Ma’an National Park in Cameroon covers 2,640 sq km and hosts 80 mammal species, including endangered elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Rio Campo National Park in Equatorial Guinea, spanning 330 sq km, supports great apes, elephants, and hippos. The agreement promotes transboundary management to preserve biodiversity and support sustainable regional development.

Notes:
Tanya Hemanth won the women’s singles title at the Bendigo International Challenge badminton tournament in Australia. She beat Taipei’s Tung Ciou-Tong in straight games, 21-17, 21-17. This is Tanya’s third international title and her first in 2024. She was the runner-up at the Polish Open and Azerbaijan International in 2024. Tanya won titles at the India International in 2022 and Iran Fajr International in 2023. In men’s doubles, India’s Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi lost to Taipei’s Chen Cheng Kuan and Po Li-Wei.

Notes:
The 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) opened in Milan, Italy. Over 10,000 space experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and professionals attended. The theme was “Responsible Space for Sustainability,” focusing on balancing space exploration with environmental protection. More than 200 technical sessions were held, discussing topics like Moon and Mars exploration, climate change, private companies’ roles, and artificial intelligence applications in space. The congress aimed to promote sustainable space technology development globally.