INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (12 February 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About Hampi:

• It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
• It was a part of the Mauryan Empire back in the third century BC.
• The Vijayanagara Empire reached unfathomable heights under the guidance of King Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva Dynasty.
• It is located near the Tungabhadra river.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/hampi/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Source: Islamic Revolution -1979
• Source: Fall of Berlin Wall -1989
• Source: Dissolution of the Soviet Union -1991
• Source: Oslo accords I/II- 1993 / 95

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Supreme Court of India has ordered federal and state governments to regulate the sale of acid in an attempt to reduce attacks on women.
• The court said that acid should be sold only to people who show a valid identity card.
• Buyers will also have explain why they need the chemical and sales will have to be reported to the police.
• There will also be more compensation for victims. There are an estimated 1,000 acid attacks a year in India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/hc-seeks-govt-stand-on-plea-to-ban-acid-sale/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

DPSP – Gandhian Principles

• To organise village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government (Article 40).
• To promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas (Article 43).
• To promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies8a (Article 43B).
• To promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of the society and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation (Article 46).
• To prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health (Article 47).
• To prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds (Article 48).

DPSP – Liberal-Intellectual Principles

• To secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country (Article 44).
• To provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years9 (Article 45).
• To organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines (Article 48).
• To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wild life (Article 48 A).
• To protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance (Article 49).
• To separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State (Article 50).
• To promote international peace and security and maintain just and honourable relations between nations; to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and to encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration (Article 51).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/uniform-civil-code-3/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/private-members-bill-3/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Cyclone Idai – Mozambique
• Typhoon Hagibis – Japan
• Cyclone Fani – India
• Storm Ciara – United Kingdom

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-12-february-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has announced a new global campaign urging people worldwide to cover the total distance travelled by refugees each year – 2 billion kilometers – by running, jogging or walking.
• The “2 Billion Kilometers to Safety” campaign vies to encourage people to support refugees by championing individual acts of solidarity.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/12/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-12-february-2020/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Schedule 1 of the Act contains detailed provisions for selection of landfill sites.

• As per the new rules, the landfill site shall be 100 metres away from a river, 200 metres from a pond, 500, 200 metres away from highways, habitations, public parks and water supply wells and 20 km away from airports/airbase.
• Construction of landfills on hills shall be avoided. Land for construction of sanitary landfills in hilly areas will be identified in the plain areas, within 25 kilometers.
• However, transfer stations and processing facilities shall be operational in the hilly areas.

Refer: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/solid-waste-management-rules-2016-53443

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Source: Under the original Act, the definition of tree includes palms, bamboos, stumps, brush-wood, and canes. The amendment act amends this definition of tree to remove the word bamboos.
  • Since bamboo is defined as a tree under the Act, its inter-state movement requires permit when in transit in other states.
  • Consequent to the amendment, felling or transportation of bamboos growing in non-forest areas will not require any permits.
• Source: The Act recognises bamboo as an MFP and vests the “right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce” with Scheduled Tribes and traditional forest dwellers.

Source: Section 3(1) of the act provides a right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce (includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin) which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Source: Young biologist from Andhra Pradesh recreates a blue whale from bones
  • The blue whale falls in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Dozens of dead blue and sperm whales have washed ashore on the Nagayalanka, Machilipatnam, Kakinada, and Srikakulam coast in Andhra Pradesh since 2015. What caused their death is the subject of study.
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WLPA) prohibits the injuring, destroying and removing any part of a wild animals body
  • In the case of wild birds and reptiles, the act also forbids disturbing or damaging their eggs
  • WLPA is also against taxidermy, which is the preservation of a dead wild animal as a trophy, or in the form of rugs, preserved skins, antlers, horns, eggs, teeth, and nails
  • The objectives are as follows:
    • Prohibition of hunting
    • Protection and management of wildlife habitats
    • Establishment of protected areas
    • Regulation and control of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife

Management of zoos