INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (21 February 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• During 2001-11, the rate of growth of rural population has been 12.18 per cent. The growth of the country’s rural population is steadily declining since 1991.
• According to the latest Census, the growth rate of population in rural areas of Empowered Action Group (EAG) States is nearly three times that in rural areas in non EAG states, it is for the first time that significant fall of growth rate is seen in the rural areas of EAG states.
• The EAG states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission:

• Large parts of rural areas in the country are not stand-alone settlements but part of a cluster of settlements, which are relatively proximate to each other. These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth, have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages.
• Hence, making a case for concerted policy directives for such clusters. These clusters once developed can then be classified as ‘Rurban’.
• Hence taking cognizance of this, the Government of India, has proposed the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), aimed at developing such rural areas by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.
• Mission aims at development of 300 Rurban clusters, in the next five years. These clusters would be strengthened with the required amenities, for which it is proposed that resources be mobilized through convergence of various schemes of the Government, over and above which a Critical Gap Funding (CGF) would be provided under this Mission, for focused development of these clusters.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/22/shyama-prasad-mukherji-rurban-mission-3/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Kalasa-Banduri Nala project : Undertaken by the Government of Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the Districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag. It involves building across Kalasa and Banduri, two tributaries of the Mahadayi river to divert 7.56 TMC of water to the Malaprabha river.
• Mahadayi river rises in the Western Ghats, from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/22/interim-order-on-mahadayi-tribunals-award/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Worldwide Educating for the Future Index (WEFFI) 2019 report was published by The Economist Intelligence Unit
• Developed to assess the effectiveness of education systems in preparing students for the demands of work and life in a rapidly changing landscape.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/22/worldwide-educating-for-the-future-index-weffi-2019/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Great Indian Bustard, Asian Elephant and Bengal Florican have been included in Appendix I of UN Convention on Migratory Species

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/22/species-included-in-appendix-i-of-un-convention-on-migratory-species/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The great Indian bustard is omnivorous. Apparently, insects, consisting mainly of Orthoptera, but also beetles are preferred in the diet. Alternatively, they will take grass seeds, berries, rodents and reptiles. In cultivated areas, they feed on crops such as exposed groundnut, millets and pods of legumes
• Nagaland is the home to the Hornbill festival for which it has a particular place in the world map of festivals. Tourists from all across the world make their way to this northeastern state to be a part of the amazing Hornbill festival. Now, with the introduction of the Amur Falcon Conservation Week and Festivals, there will certainly be another reason for the tourists to make their way to Nagaland.
• The festival is to be held for three days and will be celebrated alongside the Lotha Nagas’ post-harvest festival Tokhu Emong. As already known as the ‘Falcon Capital of the World,” this new festival to showcase the amazing treasure of the state will be a great venture for the tourism department.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/02/22/species-included-in-appendix-i-of-un-convention-on-migratory-species/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Nishagandhi Dance Festival is organized by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Refer: https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/festival-cultural

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Ministry of Power, Government of India launched Chiller Star Labelling Program, an ambitious program to encourage the deployment of Energy Efficient chiller systems in the country.
• The Chiller Star Labelling Program has been formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• The program envisages providing star rating in terms of its energy performance. Initially, the program is launched on voluntary basis and will be valid upto 31st December 2020.
• This initiative will promote advancement technology for central HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and will also facilitate energy efficient solutions for the large commercial and industrial applications.
• What are Chillers?
• Chillers are used extensively for space conditioning of buildings and for industrial process cooling applications.
• Chillers, being energy intensive system, contribute more than 40% of the total energy consumption in commercial buildings.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2018/09/15/insights-daily-current-affairs-15-september-2018/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting):

• Ministry of Earth Sciences has unveiled state-of-the-art Air Quality and Weather Forecast System– SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting) at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. It is first of its kind and most advanced system in India.
• About SAFAR:
• SAFAR was developed indigenously by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and operationalized by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• It has been introduced for greater metropolitan cities of India to provide location-specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India.
• It is integral part of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System operational in Delhi. It will monitor all weather parameters like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and wind direction.
• Pollutants monitored: PM1, PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, CO, NOx (NO, NO2), SO2, BC, Methane (CH4), Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), VOC’s, Benzene, Mercury.
• Monitored Meteorological Parameters: UV Radiation, Rainfall, Temperature, Humidity, Wind speed, Wind direction, solar radiation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2018/07/23/insights-daily-current-affairs-23-july-2018/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The National Wildlife Board has given its approval for the Trishna Gas project of ONGC which falls in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in the Gomati district of Tripura.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/01/14/trishna-gas-project/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• National Board for Wild Life is a statutory organization constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• It is an apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approves projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
• Composition: The National Board for Wild Life is chaired by the Prime Minister, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the vice-chairman of the Board and the members include 15 non-government members, 19 ex-officio members and 10 government officials such as secretaries.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/01/14/trishna-gas-project/