[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 30 November 2023

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: In the rescue operations for the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, rat miners played a crucial role in completing the drilling process.
• Rat-hole mining, a method of manual drilling common in Meghalaya, involves skilled workers digging narrow pits just wide enough for one person.
• The term “rat hole” refers to these pits used to extract coal. This method is hazardous, illegal in many countries due to safety concerns, and has faced criticism for its environmental impact.
• Rat-hole mining has faced criticism for its hazardous conditions, environmental damage, and accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice in 2014 and retained the ban in 2015 due to safety concerns and environmental impact.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/rat-hole-mining/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• About: Decentralised Autonomous Organisations, are digital entities operating on blockchain technology. They function without central control, governed by smart contracts and the consensus of members
• Aim: The idea is to create self-sustaining, community-driven entities governed by smart contracts on blockchain networks.
• Example: One example is a DAO in decentralized finance (DeFi), like MakerDAO. In MakerDAO, users holding tokens can propose and vote on changes to the protocol, influencing decisions on lending and borrowing services without relying on traditional banks.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/decentralised-autonomous-organisations-daos/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin for July–September 2023 highlights key employment indicators in urban areas:
• Unemployment Rate: Decreased to 6.6% for individuals aged 15 years and above.
• Labour Force Participation Rate: Increased to 49.3%, indicating a growing percentage of people in the labour force.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Grew to 46%, reflecting a rise in the percentage of employed persons in the population.
• About: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (Launched in April 2017) is a survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in India
• Objective: Estimate key employment and unemployment indicators (Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) in a three-month interval for urban areas under ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS). And estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual Status’ and CWS annually for both rural and urban areas.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/periodic-labour-force-survey-plfs-3/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Disguised unemployment refers to a situation where there are more people engaged in a particular task than necessary for its efficient performance. In other words, the extra workers in a job are not contributing significantly to the output. It often occurs in agricultural settings where too many people are employed on a farm than required.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/periodic-labour-force-survey-plfs-3/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics (WPDCS19) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has commenced in Mumbai, organized by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India.
• Tunas and other large pelagic species, such as billfishes, sharks, and rays, have significant economic importance, with tunas alone contributing an estimated annual trade value of US$41 billion in 2018

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/indian-ocean-tuna-commission/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Tuna refers to a group of saltwater fish belonging to the Thunnini tribe. These fish are known for their streamlined bodies, powerful swimming ability, and wide distribution in warm seas.
• Tuna is indeed a warm-blooded fish, a characteristic that helps it maintain a high and stable body temperature, allowing for efficient swimming and adaptation to various ocean temperatures.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/indian-ocean-tuna-commission/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: China is facing an unusual surge in pneumonia cases, particularly among children, raising global concerns.
• Pneumonia is indeed an inflammation of the lungs. It can be caused by a variety of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia leads to the filling of the air sacs in the lungs with pus and other liquid, making it difficult to breathe.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/walking-pneumonia/

Ans: (c )

Explanation

• Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given the state government a six-month deadline to address issues causing the delay in notifying the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) status for Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary in Shivamogga, Karnataka.
• The delay in determining ESZ has resulted in increased land use changes and encroachment.
• Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is in Karnataka’s Shimoga District, spanning 395 sq km and was declared in 1974. It includes Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary and features the Tunga Anicut Dam, providing habitat for otters and water birds

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/shettihalli-wildlife-sanctuary/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 and 3 are correct.
• As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, land within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to be notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10-km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors.”
• ESZs are created as “shock absorbers” for the protected areas, to minimize the negative impact on the “fragile ecosystems” by certain human activities taking place nearby. Furthermore, these areas are meant to act as a transition zone from areas requiring higher protection to those requiring lesser protection.
• The guidelines also state that the ESZs are not meant to hamper the daily activities of people living in the vicinity, but are meant to guard the protected areas and “refine the environment around them”.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/shettihalli-wildlife-sanctuary/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Only 1st and 2nd activities are prohibited.
• The guidelines also state that the ESZs are not meant to hamper the daily activities of people living in the vicinity, but are meant to guard the protected areas and “refine the environment around them”.
• To do so, the guidelines list the activities prohibited in an ESZ, such as commercial mining, saw mills, commercial use of wood, etc., apart from regulated activities like felling of trees. Lastly, there are permitted activities like ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, among others.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/30/shettihalli-wildlife-sanctuary/